Research Ethics

The freedom of research is protected as a fundamental right, but this does not release researchers from ethical responsibility. Research procedures are built on the values of good scientific practice. Research involving test persons or test animals must ensure the protection of the test subjects and observe animal protection laws. If a (planned) research project could cause considerable risk to the general public - even if this is due to sabotage or the non-intended use of research results by third parties (dual-use) - the ethical and legal justifiability of security-relevant research must be evaluated. 

University institutions support researchers when addressing their responsibilities from a research ethics (and sometimes also legal) perspective. The Ombudspersons and the Self-Regulation in Science Committee are responsible for questions and problems related to good scientific practice. 

A compulsory consultation with University Medicine Greifswald’s Ethics Committee must be held if medical research is to be performed on test subjects. Ethical advice for nonmedical research with test subjects should also be sought from University Medicine Greifswald’s Ethics Committee or relevant subject-specific committees, that are located, for example, at specialist scientific associations. 

The Animal Welfare Officers and the Animal Welfare Committee carry a subsidiary co-responsibility for the observance of animal protection laws. 

The Committee for the Ethical Evaluation of Security-Relevant Research (KEF)​​​​​​​ provides advice regarding the justifiability of security-relevant research.