American scientists have pirated Chinese neurosurgeon Huang Hongyun's research on spinal cord injuries, according to a Xinhua report Friday.

Dr. Huang accuses scientists from the United States of pilfering his work on spinal cord injuries and afterwards publishing condemning results in famous worldwide journals.

Dr. Huang Hongyun carries out clinical research on the treatment of spinal cord injuries with "olfactory ensheathing cells". Treating patients from around the world, Dr. Huang's unique treatment has been the subject of inspiring newspaper reports in both the British and American press.

The Chinese doctor is currently based at West Hills (Xishan) hospital in Beijing.

Dr. Huang's work consists of implanting in his patient's brain or spinal cord brain cells of aborted fetuses which he says have amazing healing powers. The cells are thought to help nerves repair themselves by releasing growth factors.

Hundreds of patients from around the world have flocked to Dr. Huang's surgical practice in Beijing in the hopes of finding a miracle cure to their spinal ails, which modern medicine has no way of treating. Among them, 70 percent have achieved different levels of rehabilitation.

Such popularity amongst patients brought Dr. Huang much interest in the international scientific community. Giving presentations on his unique spinal treatment at international conferences, the Chinese doctor gained the interest of many looking to test and thus confirm his work.

Dr. James Guest of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine was one of them.

Having listened to Dr. Huang's report at a Vancouver scientific conference, Dr. Guest arranged to visit the Chinese doctor's workspace to monitor his patients. The American doctor hoped to confirm Dr. Huang's research in a report.

Dr. Huang agreed, however insisting that he should be responsible for any research reports about his work himself. But soon, papers were published on the Chinese doctor's work, without even his name among the list of main authors.

Scientists have written numerous articles to decry the Chinese neurosurgeon's work.

Now, Dr. Huang is seeking to refer his case to American medical organizations in an effort to protect his research.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2006)