The government says that starting Friday, all human embryonic stem cells to be used for research purposes must be registered beforehand.

The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said researchers who have grown or imported human embryonic stem cell lines must register with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before using them in research.

Violation of this rule will result in a maximum penalty of five-million won.

The ministry said that by managing all processes of stem cell line research, it can prevent bioethical disputes while enhancing research credibility.

Currently in Korea, some 70 embryonic stem cell lines are reported as having been grown. Almost 90 embryonic stem cell research plans have been applied for and approved since the Bioethics and Safety Act took effect in 2005.