The South Korean geneticist whose team was the first to extract stem cells from cloned human embryos may have to give up patent rights for his research because he is having trouble raising funds to file for patents in other countries.
Hwang Woo-suk, a Seoul National University scientist, told the JoongAng Ilbo yesterday he can't cover patent costs.
Current regulations dealing with government support for scientific research strictly limit its purposes to building research centers and conducting research, and do not mention helping research teams obtain patent rights, the scientist said.
Mr. Hwang made headlines worldwide in February when it was announced that his research team had extracted stem cells from cloned human embryos.
The government has offered 26 billion won ($23.5 million) in total to support his research next year, but the money can't be used for filing patent applications.
"For now, there is no way to get financial help from the government or the school, because there is no law yet that allows government money to support patent rights," the scientist said.
"I have been trying to raise the money personally," he said.
Mr. Hwang has until next June to file for patent rights in at least 30 countries. After that month, scientists from other countries could lay claim to his research.
"Even if I file patent rights in only 30 countries, it will cost at least 500 to 600 million won," he said.
Mr. Hwang said many venture companies have offered him money to continue his research, but he said he would be obliged to return profits.
He said the stem cell research is a government project, and that he is not in a position to negotiate with the private businesses.
"At the moment, there really is nothing else I can do," said Mr. Hwang.
His problems were not known to the public until an acquaintance of Mr. Hwang's informed the press.
"This is ironic, that the government is raising hundreds of millions of won to help the poor at the end of the year while it is neglecting Dr. Hwang," said an official at the Korean Intellectual Property Office. "This shows how pitiful some bureaucratic policies are."
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