The Rise and Fall of Hwang Woo-suk: Reflections After Netflix's King of Clones (op-ed)
The Rise and Fall of Hwang Woo-suk: Reflections After Netflix's King of Clones
The name Hwang Woo-suk has become a symbol of both glory and disgrace in South Korea's scientific community. Once celebrated for his unparalleled expertise in somatic cell cloning, which captured global attention, his career spiraled into infamy after revelations of research fraud and unethical practices such as the illegal trading of human eggs. These controversies have indelibly linked his name to the phrase “Hwang Woo-suk Scandal.”
Approximately a year ago, while investigating Hwang's ventures, it was revealed that he had left South Korea and was residing in the UAE, where he was focusing on animal cloning. This discovery led to an exclusive report, and in July 2023, Netflix further reignited public interest with its documentary King of Clones, which examined parts of his story. Despite the passage of time, his name continues to evoke strong reactions. However, there remain many untold facets of his life after the scandal, which merit a closer look.
The Glory Days
Born in 1953, Hwang Woo-suk earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Seoul National University (SNU), where he also served as a professor. His groundbreaking work in somatic cell cloning, which involves creating identical copies of cells, thrust him into the global scientific spotlight. This technology raised the theoretical possibility of replicating a human being or even bringing deceased animals back to life.
Hwang first gained prominence in 1999 when he successfully cloned a dairy cow named Younglong. He made headlines again in 2005 by achieving the world's first dog clone, an Afghan Hound named Snuppy. This achievement was particularly significant, as dog cloning was considered far more challenging than cloning other animals.
Hwang’s most audacious claim came when he announced that his team had successfully cultivated human embryonic stem cells through somatic cell nuclear transfer, publishing the results in the prestigious journal Science. At the time, this breakthrough was seen as a monumental leap toward developing treatments for incurable diseases by enabling the cultivation of organs from cloned stem cells. Patients with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses viewed Hwang’s research as a beacon of hope.
For his contributions, Hwang was showered with accolades, including being named South Korea’s first “Supreme Scientist.” Government and private funding poured into his projects, fueling rapid progress in his cloning research.
The Fall from Grace
However, Hwang’s triumphs were short-lived. Two major controversies shattered his career.
The first scandal emerged in 2005 when Nature questioned the ethical practices surrounding egg donations used in his research. Somatic cell cloning requires large quantities of eggs, obtained by removing the nucleus from donor eggs and inserting the nucleus of the somatic cell to be cloned. Allegations surfaced that female researchers under Hwang’s supervision had been pressured into donating their eggs. Even though these donations were framed as voluntary, the inherent power dynamics made true consent questionable.
Egg donation is far from a trivial procedure. Women must undergo an intensive regimen of hormone injections to stimulate egg production, followed by invasive extraction methods that carry significant physical risks. Given these challenges, many countries prohibit the commercial trading of human eggs. Investigations revealed that Hwang’s team had utilized over 600 eggs for experiments, many of which were procured through monetary compensation, a practice explicitly banned in South Korea.
The second—and arguably more damning—blow came when it was discovered that Hwang had fabricated parts of his groundbreaking Science paper. He had manipulated experimental data to falsely claim success in cloning human embryonic stem cells. Under scrutiny from the global scientific community, Hwang admitted to the misconduct. This admission sparked intense debates, dividing public opinion between those who believed in the potential of his cloning technology and those who dismissed his claims entirely.
In 2006, a Seoul National University investigation concluded that Hwang’s research lacked originality and rejected his claims of possessing foundational cloning technology. Following this, Science retracted his papers, and he was dismissed from SNU. The South Korean government revoked his title as Supreme Scientist, and Hwang faced criminal charges for fraud, embezzlement, and violations of bioethics laws. While acquitted of fraud, he was found guilty of other charges.
A New Chapter in the UAE
After his fall from grace, Hwang redirected his focus to animal cloning. Establishing Sooam Biotech Research Foundation and H-Bion, he began a lucrative business cloning deceased pets. Though largely forgotten in South Korea, he remained sought after internationally.
In 2016, a pivotal opportunity arose when Princess Latifa Al Maktoum of the UAE requested that Hwang clone her deceased dog. The successful cloning marked the beginning of Hwang’s growing influence in the Middle East. By 2018, he had cloned over 1,000 dogs, with many international clients—including American celebrities—seeking his expertise.
The UAE soon invited Hwang to spearhead its national animal cloning initiative. In 2022, he relocated to Abu Dhabi to establish the Abu Dhabi Biotechnology Research Foundation, specializing in cloning camels and racehorses, both highly valued in the region. Camels used for racing can fetch millions of dollars, while elite racehorses command even higher prices. Hwang reportedly cloned over 150 camels, earning millions in the process.
A Complicated Legacy
Despite his success abroad, Hwang’s presence in the scientific community remains polarizing. In August 2023, he partnered with a South Korean startup, CRIO, to restart pet cloning services in South Korea. However, Hwang shows no intention of returning permanently, expressing satisfaction with his life in the UAE.
As other countries, including the U.S. and China, develop their own pet cloning businesses, Hwang’s once-monopolistic position is under threat. Nevertheless, his story—captured in King of Clones—serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of ambition, ethics, and redemption.
While the scientific community continues to debate his contributions, Hwang Woo-suk remains a figure who elicits both admiration and criticism, his name forever etched in the annals of biotechnology.
*This guest column represents the views of the author, not the editorial board.
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