( CNN ) -- Researchers managed to create embryonic stem cells through cloning , a breakthrough in the field that was announced May 15 in the journal Cell . That study is now being called into question -- but not necessarily on scientific grounds . It appears that the study authors , led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov at Oregon Health & Science University , made some errors in the graphical presentations when they submitted the manuscript . A commenter on the PubPeer website noticed some duplication of figures ( the data plots , graphics and images in a scientific paper ) and apparent errors in labeling . Mitalipov acknowledged that the commenter made some valid points but told Nature.com , `` The results are real , the cell lines are real , everything is real . '' Emilie Marcus , editor-in-chief of Cell , posted a statement on the study in the comments on the Cell website : . `` Based on our own initial in-house assessment of issues raised and in initial discussions with the authors , it seems that there were some minor errors made by the authors when preparing the figures for initial submission . While we are continuing discussions with the authors , we do not believe these errors impact the scientific findings of the paper in any way . '' The study has received several comments relating to how fast it was reviewed for publication at the journal . The review process is not being questioned , Marcus said , and the paper was not considered any less thoroughly than usual despite its being published relatively quickly . According to Nature.com , the study was accepted three days after it was submitted , and it was published 12 days later . Oregon Health & Science University released this statement : . `` In response to the issues raised in PubPeer , OHSU has had several discussions with the journal which published the paper , Cell . Based on OHSU 's own initial reviews and the original assessments by Cell , OHSU agrees that there were some minor errors made when preparing the figures for initial submission . Neither OHSU nor Cell editors believe these errors impact the scientific findings of the paper in any way . We also do not believe there was any wrongdoing . '' The researchers are also sending more information to Cell , including photos and original data . `` Our shared goal is to publish a correction noting the errors and correcting the photos as soon as both OHSU and Cell feel the issues are fully investigated , '' the statement said . A South Korean scientist in 2004 claimed to have cloned human embryonic stem cells . Reports of Hwang Woo-suk 's studies attracted worldwide attention and enthusiasm from researchers and patients , but in 2006 he acknowledged faking his findings after questions of impropriety emerged . Hwang was convicted in 2009 of embezzling money and illegally buying human eggs , according to state media . He was sentenced to a two-year prison term suspended for three years . Here 's how the OHSU experiment in question actually worked : . Normally , an embryo is created when sperm enters the egg and it starts to divide . But , in the Cell study , Mitalipov and colleagues began with skin cells from an 8-month-old baby that had a genetic disease . They did not use sperm . To create each embryo , they took the DNA out of an egg so that it was hollow and replaced it with the skin cell 's DNA instead . The baby 's DNA was the only genetic material being used . With the help of chemicals , the egg started to divide just like a normal fertilized egg would . Then , within several days , embryos genetically identical to the baby were created , from which stem cells were derived . Researchers made more than 120 embryos using this method . Embryonic stems research is inherently controversial because in order to use the stem cells for science , the embryo , which is a collection of cells that could develop into a fully formed human , is destroyed , even though embryos in these procedures are left over from in vitro fertilization . However , Mitalipov said the embryos created in his study , from skin cells and eggs , would not grow babies . That would have required additional technology , and it was n't part of the study . Cloning stem cells : What does it mean ?
A study about cloning stem cells contained errors in its presentation of graphics . Score: 6 Cell and the researchers want to publish a correction .