The Schatten affair: Explanation & oversight

The shiner the University of Pittsburgh received from its association with fraudulent stem-cell research in South Korea is balanced by another black eye.

Reproductive biologist Gerald Schatten, who was lead author on an article describing the now-discredited "breakthrough," used the research to help win a $16.1 million federal grant last year for more stem-cell work at Pitt.

And there is every indication the National Institutes of Health and the university will not stand in his way.

Giving the benefit of the doubt owed, there is no evidence available to us that Mr. Schatten knew the data were false when he applied for the grant.

And a secretive Pitt panel convened to assess his role in the fiasco did not accuse Schatten of scientific misconduct. It did, however, indicate he did not exercise due diligence in making certain what finally was published was true.

Is Schatten the only bad boy here or does negligence reach higher• Pitt doesn't say.

The Trib obtained details about the grant process through the Freedom of Information Act. Pitt, an institution significantly supported by tax dollars, has twisted the lid tight lest any more bad publicity escape.

Should Schatten still get the public grant without further explanation that firmly assures his commitment to ethical conduct and Pitt's commitment to proper oversight?

At this point, our answer is no.