The Korean Bioethics Association has challenged cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-suk to a public debate on “life ethics.”

The association strongly urged the Seoul National University professor to accept the proposal, accusing him of avoiding discussions on ethical problems surrounding the cloning of human embryos and the use of women's eggs for research.

In a statement and a separate 12-point open letter to Professor Hwang in May of last year, the association declared that bioengineering and medical research should stay within the boundaries of ethical standards.

The group also wants him to clarify how and where he collected the women's eggs used in his research.