The government has rejected a request from a group of local scientists to pursue embryonic stem cell research.

In a National Bioethics Committee meeting Thursday, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs discussed the proposed research plan by Professor Jung Hyung-min’s team at CHA Hospital. But it eventually decided to shelve the proposal, citing flaws in the research plan.

If the committee approved, it would've been the first time for the government to allow stem cell research using somatic cell nuclear transfer technology since 2006 after cloning expert Hwang Woo-suk was found to have fabricated data in his landmark stem cell studies.

The ministry plans to reopen the issue for discussion in a few months.