Limits of freedom of science

Various opinions as to the freedom of science have been expounded in the course of intellectual history. The Greeks focussed on measure and limitation; modern peoples take the boundless freedom of science for granted. According to the constitutional law point of embarkation, science is free. This fundamental right was coined in the middle of the 19th century. Observing today's prevailing conception of fundamental rights, the principle of scientific freedom is valid without limitation. Casting a glance at the field of animal experimentation shows, however, that this fundamental right has become (ethically) relative. According to the demands of the European Directive on animal experiments, a strenuous experiment may only be conducted if the experimenter succeeds in convincing the authorities of the necessity of the experiment. However, the Directive on animal experiments is only applicable to applied research. For the entire field of animal experiments (including fundamental research), the author proposes subjecting the fundamental right of freedom of science to a reservation allowing restriction by statutory enactment. The (European) public has reacted to the progress of genetic research with restraint and apprehension. Gene technologists explain this attitude as a result of inadequate information. The author contends that plausible reasons for employing this technology can only be brought forward nrrl in the medical field, but not with respect to agriculture.