Stem cell pioneer Hwang Woo-seok lectured on his recent research results before students at Seoul National University Monday.

Speaking on the topic, 'Biotechnology and National Development', the SNU professor divided his research into three main areas: therapeutic cloning for terminally ill patients cultivating sterilized pigs for organ transplant purposes and developing mad cow disease-resistant cattle.

Addressing the ethical debate raging around his activities, Hwang stressed his commitment to stem cell research by saying he would continue his work for ten years. If the Korean people were hostile to his research at the end of that period, he added, he would leave the country with no regrets.

Hwang is credited with the first-ever extraction of stem cells from cloned human embryos. He recently stunned the world for a second time by producing patient-specific embryonic stem cells - a major advance in the treatment of incurable diseases.