Important and useful research findings from almost every branch of science can potentially be misused to do harm. This dual-use dilemma repeatedly triggers debate on the benefits and risks of individual research projects. In this context, the German Ethics Council published the statement “Biosecurity – Freedom and Responsibility of Research” and the German Research Foundation together with the Leopoldina, the guidelines “Scientific Freedom and Scientific Responsibility – Recommendations for Handling Security-Relevant Research”.

The scientific symposium was organised by the three organisations to increase awareness of the problem of the possible misuse of research results and included the presentation of the opportunities and risks of individual research areas. It also provided an opportunity for discussion between various institutions from the science sector and industry on the options available to raise awareness and to provide advice to researchers and on the practicality of self-governance using ethical codes of conduct or legal regulation of security-relevant research.

photo: © Gunter Binsack