The state-backed Riken research institute on Thursday held the first meeting of a panel set up to explore ways to prevent research data from being falsified as alleged in the STAP cell study carried out by Riken researcher Haruko Obokata.
"This committee hopes Riken, a leading Japanese scientific institution, will lead the world in the field of science technology as well as in terms of ethics," said Innovative Structural Materials Association President Teruo Kishi, who heads the panel of six outside experts.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting at Riken's Tokyo office, Kishi said the panel had discussed the Riken investigative committee's report on the papers, as well as steps to prevent misconduct that the institution has already put in place.