The research team of disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk has applied to the World Intellectual Property Organization for patents on three cloning technologies.

A search of the organization's database of international patent applications shows the team applied for patents on its cloned pig in December 2001, cloned cow in August 2003 and embryonic stem cells and related technologies in December 2004.

Hwang and colleagues Lee Byung-chun and Kang Sung-geun jointly applied for the 2001 patent. The three also applied for the 2003 patent along with researcher Park Eul-soon.