Korean cloning expert questioned

The scientist has not been seen in public in weeks

South Korean prosecutors have begun questioning disgraced cloning expert Hwang Woo-suk and three members of his research team in the capital, Seoul.

Some of Dr Hwang's stem cell research, which had raised hopes of imminent cures for difficult diseases, was found in January to have been fabricated.

Last month, state auditors said he was suspected of misusing government funds.

Prosecutors are reportedly considering whether to issue arrest warrants against some of those being questioned.

It is the first time Dr Hwang has been questioned since his disgrace, and the first time he has appeared in public for several weeks.

SCANDAL TIMELINE Feb 2004 Hwang Woo-suk's team declare they have created 30 cloned human embryos and extracted stem cells May 2005 Team says it has made stem cell lines from skin cells of 11 people Nov 2005 Hwang apologises for using eggs from his own researchers 15 Dec 2005 A colleague claims stem cell research was faked 23 Dec 2005 Academic panel finds results of May 2005 research were fabricated 10 Jan 2006 Panel finds 2004 work was also faked Fall of scientific 'rock star' Profile: Hwang Woo-suk

Looking tight-lipped and tense, he declined to speak to reporters as he entered the prosecutors' offices.

Shock

The scientist caused shockwaves late last year when he admitted flaws in his research but he insisted most of the fabrications were carried out without his knowledge.

A report from experts at Seoul National University then concluded that Dr Hwang had faked his most famous work, the production of a stem cell line taken from cloned embryos.

The panel had previously rejected another of his landmark claims - to have produced individually tailored stem cells.

But it did conclude that Dr Hwang had produced the world's first cloned dog, an Afghan hound called Snuppy.

Dr Hwang has insisted that most of the fabrications which have come to light were carried out without his knowledge, by collaborators on the project.

He has been stripped of some of his titles and been suspended from his university post.

In February, a government audit board said it was trying to trace 2.5 billion won (US$2.6m) in government funds which were allocated to the scientist's research.