The National Bioethics Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday to deliberate whether or not to allow embryonic stem cell research.

The committee will look into a research plan submitted by the Gangnam Cha Hospital on the development of cell treatment using human embryonic stem cells.

The hospital said it plans to use its findings to help treat Parkinson’s disease, spinal injuries and diabetes.

The health ministry said that if the committee gives its approval, it will be the first time for such stem cell research using the somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to be allowed since 2006 after cloning expert Hwang Woo-suk was found to have fabricated data in his landmark stem cell studies.