Press clips

Tragedy of fame

Renowned Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-Suk resigned and apologized after being found out that he made up figures which led to a thesis published in "Science". A commentary in The Beijing News says that the Chinese should learn a lesson from the incident.

Hwang, who is already an accomplished scientist, obviously did not make up research figures to achieve fame.

Tragically, it is his fame as a "national hero" due to his achievement in cloning science that has, to a great extent, led to his fall.

To a scientist, fame can be the driving force for more success, but it can also become a huge pressure. Worshipped by so many people, Hwang has no choice but to accomplish even more as soon as possible so as to live up to the expectation of his fellow country people.

A sociologist in a South Korean university pointed out that the rapid economic and social development in South Korea in the past decades has made many South Koreans crave immediate success. Such a mentality and social environment provide the cause for Hwang's fall.
Yet in China today, we are confronted with the same problem. We like to regard scientists with international acclaim as our national heroes; we fail to view foreigners' judgment on China objectively. After more than a decade of rapid development, the Chinese are also eager for quick success.

Hwang's case has provided much food for thought for the Chinese.

Young man's misfortune
The story of Hong Zhanhui, who had to support his mentally disturbed father, younger brother and sister when he was still a teenager, has moved many Chinese. A commentary in the Beijing-based Workers' Daily says that Hong's story has pointed to the fact that some government departments have failed to function properly.

Hong is only one of many people who have maintained high moral standards under the pressure of life.

Thanks to Hong and his like, other people have been taken care of. However, what Hong and others have done is not necessarily their obligation. We can't help wondering why related government departments and schools would just look on instead of carrying out their due function to intervene. Perhaps this deserves more attention from us.

It is indeed a great tragedy if moving stories like that of Hong have behind them the failure to function on the part of some government departments.