After a scandal involving a top Korean scientist, a delegation of South Korean scientists spent two days at The National Stem Cell Bank to learn best practices in the growth and distribution of stem cells. The bank houses and distributes stem cells available for use in U.S. federally funded research.

Last year, Hwang Woo-suk, a scientist regarded as the South Korea national hero for groundbreaking work in cloning and stem cell research, has been found that he faked his discoveries. This scandal put a real question about the ethical work of the Korean scientists in the field of human embryonic stem cells research.

At the end of their two day visit at the U.S. Cell Bank, officials from the South Korean delegation declared that they are willing to learn to be more transparent with studies on human embryonic stem cells. They also stated that human embryonic stem cells are very important in research and clinical trials for curing different human diseases, but there are issues like technical, procedural and ethical problems that need to be addressed.

The National Stem Cell Bank holds 17 of the 21 stem cell lines available to federal fund research only. The South Korean officials stated that they are considering setting up a similar bank for more than 50 stem cell lines. These banks allow the efficient distribution of cells under a strict quality control.