Seoul National University’s Institutional Review Board is investigating allegations that a female researcher working under stem cell pioneer Hwang Wook-seok had donated her own eggs for the team's studies.

The head of the university board, Professor Lee Yong-soon, said Tuesday that the body is currently investigating the wide range of issues raised in the wake of the ongoing controversy over the apparently inappropriate egg donation.

Lee said the board has yet to determine whether the researcher was pressured or otherwise coerced to make the donation, adding that results of the probe would be immediately submitted to the government.