A Japanese researcher has agreed to withdraw two papers after being accused of fabricating the results of the stem cell study.

The growing doubts about the supposedly breakthrough in stem cell research has stirred the outcome of the researcher’s findings.

The researcher was identified as Haruko Obokata who has been defending her study in a public feud with Riken institute where she also works. A semi-government institution told Reuters on Wednesday that Obokata has retracted two of her works.

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Obokata was the lead author of the scientific journal Nature which was based in London. The January articles of the journal discussed the simple steps of reprogramming mature animal cells back to its embryonic stage. This would allow it to generate various cells which could offer solution to replace the already damaged cells or growing new organs in the human body.

However, doubts started to arise about Obokata’s research when other scientists failed to replicate her claims. The institute where Obokata works conducted an investigation and later proved that she has fabricated some parts of the paper. Riken said that other parts of the journal were plagiarized.

This has raised concerns about Japanese science’s credibility in the field.

Obokata has been grilled by some of her co-authors and agreed to retract the shorter paper called “letter”. However, she refused to retract the longer article. Obokata has not given any public statement regarding the research after emotionally defending her study during a news conference in April.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Riken institute confirmed that Obokata signed the approval for withdrawal. The spokesman did not disclose further information including the reason behind the removal.

The withdrawal of the entire articles in the journal Nature has remained unclear especially that one of its co-authors, Dr. Charles Vacanti, has disagreed. Typically, all authors must be able to agree before a withdrawal.

Obokata and 11 other authors were responsible for the “letter” while the longer article had eight authors involved in working on it.

A Nature representative told Reuters through a statement that the journal does not give statements regarding corrections or even retractions as these may be or may not be under consideration. The representative added that any retractions or corrections are not made immediately as consideration and approval from all authors are needed.

TagsStem Cell Therapy, Haruko Obokata, Riken Institute