The university investigating panel said in its final report this week that Hwang and his research team ``did not have any proof to show that cloned embryonic stem cells were ever created.''

      Last month, a devastating report by the university concluded that Hwang fabricated data for another article published in Science last year in which he claimed to have produced 11 stem cell lines genetically tailored to patients.

      Science said this week it will formally retract Hwang's two studies and is considering how to improve safeguards against scientific fraud.

      The university this week upheld Hwang's claim last year to have cloned the world's first dog. That achievement was not regarded as important as the cloning of human embryos, however, because various animals had already been cloned.

      Hwang, once lionized for his purported research breakthroughs in stem cell research, still has supporters in South Korea. Several hundred held a candlelight vigil in Seoul this week, demanding he be given a chance to prove himself.

      ``I do not believe professor Hwang Woo-suk could have deceived the whole world,'' said Bae Hee-joo, a 56-year-old Seoul housewife. ``I still believe he has the technology.''

      The government also said it would launch an audit of national funds provided for Hwang's research. Last year, he was granted as much as $3 million in annual funding for five years.

      Media reports have said prosecutors are likely to investigate possible misappropriation of government money used in his research.

— Associated Press