Leading animal cloning academician arrested for embezzling research funds  

(ECNS) -- Li Ning, a leading animal cloning researcher at China Agricultural University and an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) has been arrested, the Beijing News reported, citing a notice released on the Supervision Ministry website on Friday.

Since 2012, Li and another six professors from four universities had been suspected by the National Audit Office of embezzling research funds totaling more than 25 million yuan ($4.1 million), the notice said.

As the country's leading animal cloning researcher, Li had led 18 major projects, including a transgenic project launched by the Agricultural Ministry.

Li had access to tens of millions of dollars in research funds. He had also registered several biotech companies over the years, in which he held controlling shares and served as company director or manager, according to a Caijing report released in August.

He allegedly transferred research funds into some of these companies, the report stated.

Li was elected to the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2007 at the age of 45 and was dubbed China's youngest academician.