Research into pathogens or generative artificial intelligence can lead to knowledge, products or technologies which can also be used for harmful purposes (“dual use research”). In times of pandemics, wars, and intensifying system rivalries around the world, such security-relevant research is increasing in significance. This includes, for instance, the question as to how research can be protected from espionage and foreign interference while simultaneously ensuring the continuation of international scientific cooperation. The Joint Committee on the Handling of Security-Relevant Research (GA) of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the German Research Foundation (DFG) advises the German science community in questions regarding dual use. In the committee’s 2024 progress report “Scientific Freedom and Security Interests in Times of Geopolitical Polarisation”, which is now also available in English, they describe a change within the scientific system due to increased national security interests. In line with their mandate, which has since been extended until 2030, the committee will pay additional attention to this field of tension.
The focus of the report is on the changes taking place within the scientific system due to increased national security interests. According to the authors, the science community is on the one hand increasingly expected to conduct research in line with national security interests. On the other hand, this entails the risk of science becoming subordinate to political aims and of international scientific cooperation being constrained. With its mandate extension and a strategic new set of members, the Joint Committee is addressing the developments regarding the topic of the risks surrounding international research cooperation.
The report presents several examples of security-relevant fields of research: The Joint Committee rates research as “concerning” if abuse can directly follow from it and if potential damage is substantial. The report also includes the results of surveys conducted by the Joint Committee regarding the previous work of the Committees for Ethics in Security-Relevant Research (KEFs). According to this data, a total of 124 cases of security-relevant work were reported to and then discussed by the KEFs between 2016 and 2023. Only nine cases received wholly negative votes. The surveys among the KEFs revealed that security-relevant work of concern continues to be a rare exception in academic research, but that the KEFs also deal with other, partially overlapping security-relevant issues.
The report also provides information about the GA’s participation in events relating to responsible handling of security-relevant research. This includes, for example, the conference “Raising Awareness and Building Competencies for Ethics of Security-Relevant Research (Dual Use) in Teaching – Theories, Methods, Good Practices” which took place in June 2023, as well as the fourth “KEF Forum”, which was held in Munich in 2024. Furthermore, the report also makes mention of future tasks and objectives of the work by the GA and the KEFs. For instance, the implementation of the GA’s recommendations for the implementation of security-relevant ethical considerations in research and teachings should be further pursued.
The GA, an advisory committee of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the DFG, was established in 2015 and continuously observes the development of security-relevant research and the associated risks. The committee also identifies areas requiring action and advises the boards of the Leopoldina and the DFG in this matter. Additionally, the GA supports the establishment and the work of KEFs and has become the national point of contact for questions regarding personal responsibility in the handling of this topic. Further information about the Joint Committee: https://www.security-relevant-research.org/