A READERS VIEW on Stem Cell

[A READER'S VIEW]Step back from Hwang hype

Questions surrounding stem-cell pioneer Hwang Woo-suk have been making the headlines for the past month. Since the MBC-TV program raised ethical issues about Hwang's research, nationalism devoid of objectivity has been rife, with diverging opinions splattered daily on news pages.

The entire society seems to be swept up in self-made fervor from which they cannot swim away. Why is the Hwang issue such a huge deal in South Korea? Is it something that deserves the amount of attention and hype it has received? What have we gained from the media bashing, government intervention and scientist-turned-celebrity crusade?

Have we lost our sense of neutrality to such a degree that we no longer see why Dr. Hwang and the questions about his stem-cell research became an issue in the first place?

From my perspective, there are four main problems that need to be straightened out.

First, the debate over ethics in scientific research and experiment actually raises two important topics: whether the Hwang research team conducted itself ethically according to global scientific research standards and the validity of Dr. Hwang's work. The Korean media has aroused a sentiment of distrust toward Hwang's research, generating suspicion on the validity of the results of scientific research itself. Whether Hwang's team truly cloned a dog or not should not be the issue right now. The truth will surely emerge in time.

Secondly, the overly vigorous Korean media coverage about Hwang has stirred more trouble than good. While media's role is to be a watchdog, it should not misuse its power to coerce information to serve its own benefits. MBC has offered a formal apology for use of threats by program programs while putting together a report on Hwang but this can't undo what has already happened.

Even more importantly, the mere fact that coercive media exists in a democratic society remains a paradox. In addition, Korean media added more confusion, hype and speculation to the story, rather than bringing out the raw truth. Turning a scientist into a national hero is manipulation by the media. Shouldn't media retain its objectivity as its utmost important value rather than create sensational news that pollutes society?

• Aside from and beyond the issues of the ehtics and authenticity of Dr. Hwang's acomplishments, we need to "sincerely and seriously" address this matter. The media will find no way of dodging their own ethical lapses.

Thirdly, it is perfectly understandable for the government to take great pride in Hwang's scientific work. Stem cell research is funded by the government and is now prided as a national technology. The government's efforts to obtain patents for Hwang's stem cell research are understandable. However, while the government can be proud of its citizens' achievements, it is not the government's role to intervene and take sides.

It was not right for President Roh Moo-hyun to take Hwang's side publicly against MBC. The government should govern, not intervene: it has to remain impartial and objective always, whatever the cost.

Lastly, the general public's inability to be critical and objective thinkers is bewildering and baffling. Our citizens tend to believe what they are told - by the government, by the media. Their emotions get the best of them and they never debate the possibilities, they merely conclude. All the name calling, emotional demonstrations and activist movements are results of the "media play" of the three parties: government, media and Hwang's research team.

The general public should question what it is each party is trying to convey. They should not get swept away by the overflow of information and fall prey to their emotions, rather than rationale.

Everything happens for a reason. Perhaps the questions about Hwang have served to expose a bigger problem in Korean society: our tendency to lose focus of the bigger picture and to be swept away by minor irrelevancies. Science is important but it is only one of the infrastructures of society. Perhaps the best now for all parties involved is to take a step back from the heated arguments and reflect on their own mistakes and their own agendas that went wrong.

• After all, the situation has gotten murkier than ever as it goes on.
  
  Koo Mee-hyoe is an international studies student at Ewha Womans University. - Ed.
  By Koo Mee-hyoe