A discovery that could revolutionize stem cell therapy has been called into question, after one of the scientists behind the research sought the retraction of a paper.

In January, Japanese researchers Haruko Obokata and Teruhiko Wakayama described a cheap new way of making stem cells that can be used to generate organs for sick people.

But Wakayama last night (Monday) asked for the paper to be retracted until questions over an image can be answered.

He said the image in the paper was the same one used in Obokata’s doctoral thesis.

The paper will likely now be withdrawn until the credibility of its data can be confirmed.

Obokata became a star in Japan when she detailed an easy way to produce stem cells by bathing them in acid.

The Riken Center for Developmental Biology where Obokata works held a news conference today on the controversy.

Officials apologized and said they would provide details by Friday.