Molecular biology (gene editing)
Han Chunyu: NgAgo gene editing paper, 2016 to 2018
Hebei University of Science and Technology, China
Errors without misconduct Cleared by his university in 2018 of intentional falsification, while losing the awards and grants tied to the retracted paper.1
Papers
| Paper | Action | Date | Reason stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study reporting gene editing in human cells with the NgAgo protein Nature Biotechnology, 2016 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2105284/chinese-scientist-retracts-research-hailed-gene-editing1,2 | Retracted | August 2017 | Han voluntarily retracted the paper after other researchers were unable to replicate the findings, according to the South China Morning Post and China Daily. |
Investigations
- Hebei University of Science and Technology, with third-party laboratories, 31 August 2018Found no evidence that Han and his team had subjectively or intentionally falsified their research, but said the paper cannot be republished. Titles, awards and grants given because of the paper were revoked, according to China Daily.1
Response
Han and his team accepted the findings, admitted design flaws and issues regarding accuracy and said they apologize to the scientific community and the public (China Daily).1
Sources
- China Daily, Scientist cleared of falsifying results (3 September 2018)
- South China Morning Post, Chinese scientist retracts research hailed for gene editing (August 2017)