In Gwanggyo Techno Valley in Suwon (completion slated for December 2006) for research on heterogeneous organs of germ-free pigs, such as livers, hearts and kidneys, that can replace defective human organs. 

On December 8, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office held a ceremony for commencement of the work for the Hwang Woo-suk Bio Research Center building, with 300-plus people attending, including Gyeonggi Governor Sohn Hak-kyu, Seoul National University President Chung Woon-chan, Mr. Im Sang-gyu (Head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters of the Ministry of Science and Technology), Mr. Oh Byung-ik (Head of the Economic Investment Committee of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council), Kyonggi University President Lee Tae-il, Professor Lee Byung-chun, etc. 

The work is the first step taken for establishment of the research infrastructure designed to build the nation’s strength in development of the organ-related technology after an MOU was signed in July 2004 among Gyeonggi Provincial Office, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Seoul National University for mutual collaboration in the effort to launch a hub of the heterogeneous organ production technology. 

In his congratulatory speech, Governor Sohn Hak-kyu said, “Now, we must stop the ongoing unproductive controversy [concerning Professor Hwang Woo-suk’s research on stem cells] and provide all possible support for Professor Hwang and his team members so that they can restart their research. I am sure that the research on heterogeneous organs as well as on stem cells which will be carried out in this building will put the nation ahead of other rival nations and help it enjoy an advantageous position in relevant markets in future, in addition to brining hopes to patients suffering from incurable diseases who need to have their organs replaced by transplants.” 

The work for the building (total floor space: 2,155 pyeong = 7,100 square meter)will be carried out by Dongyang Engineering & Construction on 5,000 pyeong (= 4 acres) of land with the budge of KRW 29.5 billion. The building will be equipped with clean labs in which research on commercialization of heterogeneous organs that can replace defective ones of human patients. 

The provincial office plans to establish Replacement Organ Production Research Institute, which will be dedicated to Professor Hwang Woo-suk’s research team, separately from this building.