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Bioethics Services

A central point of contact for ethics at EMBL

Ethics Engagement

The Science & Society Programme and the Heidelberg Forum offer two diverse opportunities to engage on the ELSi of scientific research

The Science & Society Programme, which is the external engagement arm of EMBL’s Bioethics Office, aims to create a platform for dialogue and debate, allowing EMBL to examine the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSi) of scientific research. We act as a neutral facilitator, providing an impartial forum to explore the societal context in which scientific research operates.

With the support of the Science & Society Committee, who act as EMBL’s internal think tank, we run a range of internal and external events, designed to facilitate analysis of, and outreach on scientific issues with a societal relevance. This process establishes a vehicle for scientists, and experts from a variety of disciplines, to meet with members of the public, and to engage in dialogue, seminars, discussion meetings, conferences, and symposia. It also provides researchers with comprehensive insight into how society could be impacted by their research.

Upcoming Events

16th & 17th June 2025: “In Science We Trust?” (Science & Society Conference)

Past EMBL Science and Society events.

English

The Heidelberg Forum is a collaboration between three leading research institutions in Heidelberg – EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory), DKFZ (German Cancer Research Centre) and the University of Heidelberg. 

Our vision is to create a forum for cross-sectoral dialogue on the greatest challenges affecting humanity. We are committed to furthering both scientific and societal debate, by connecting experts with members of the academic community in Heidelberg, and by exploring solutions to the most pressing issues of our time. In this way, we hope to facilitate vital scientific outreach, while simultaneously giving scientists an insight into the impact their research has on society.

Our mission is to make expert-led seminars freely available to anyone who wishes to attend, with a particular focus on our academic, and academically-interested community in Heidelberg. Participants usually range from undergraduate level to senior academic staff, and we aim to include subject areas across the life and social sciences. We seek to build an open, collaborative platform to share ideas and spark debate. We encourage interdisciplinary discussion, and also provide an opportunity for participants to meet the expert at the end of each seminar.

Example topics (addressing pressing issues to humanity addressed by the life sciences):

  • Pandemics
  • Pollution
  • Ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental change
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Challenges in agriculture
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Genetic privacy
  • Population health and ageing

 HD Forum Coordinators: 

  • Giorgia Renne, Ethics Officer, EMBL

Forum Members: 

  • Nassos Typas and Alexander Aulehla, EMBL 
  • Freddy Frischknecht, Christian Schaaf and Karen Nolte, University of Heidelberg 
  • Michael Boutros and Priya Chudasama, DKFZ 

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