SOUTH KOREAN scientists had no data to prove claims made in a landmark 2005 paper that they had produced tailored embryonic stem cells, an investigation panel said Thursday, indicating major scientific fraud.

The same Seoul National University investigation panel had said last week that the paper - produced by the team led by previously celebrated and now disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk - contained data that was intentionally fabricated.

"Stem cells with DNA matching with patient tissues regarding the 2005 paper were not found. It is the panel's judgment that professor Hwang's team does not have the scientific data to prove that they (patient-specific stem cells) were made," said Roe Jung-hye, chief of the university's research office.

The panel found that two cells Hwang's team claimed were stem cells were actually human eggs cells supplied by a hospital in Seoul.

Hwang has said he had the technology to produce patient-specific stem cells.

Editor: Wing