Science in Society
Freedom in science is a valuable asset – and for this reason, research freedom is anchored in Basic Law in the Federal Republic of Germany. This puts tremendous responsibility on the shoulders of scientists. The Max Planck Society recognises and accepts this responsibility, and does so in dialogue with the general public.
The statements and viewpoints of the Max Planck Society are outlined here along with theme portals which provide fundamental and detailed information on current, controversial science issues. The category To the point contains articles by scientists of the Max Planck Society on topical subjects of interest to society, industry, and politics.
Most recent statements of the Max Planck Society
The Max Planck Society regularly takes a position – often together with other scientific organizations – on select issues concerning research policy: for example, research promotion in Germany and Europe, developments in individual research fields or specific topics in various specialist fields.
The Alliance of Science Organisations has written an open letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán. The reason for this is a new law which, as part of a reform of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, provides for its restructuring and the outsourcing of its institutes in the form of a network.
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The Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany is concerned about the immigration ban issued by US President Donald Trump on 27 January 2017. It sees it as "a sweeping discrimination against human beings on the basis of their ethnicity and consequently an act of aggression on the fundamental values of science".
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Without the fast and preferably unobstructed exchange of scientific findings, successful research is not possible. The discussions surrounding a revision of copyright law therefore have major implications for science. The Alliance of German Science Organisations has issued a joint statement calling for a science-friendly copyright law.
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Material sciences, plant genetics and infection biology, but also information technology and cognition research: The possibilities of “dual use”, i.e. the use of research results for purposes other than the original intent of the researchers, are diverse. The objective of the new, expanded
“Information and Rules on the Responsible Use of Scientific Freedom and dealing with Scientific Risk” is to give scientists insight into the implications of the misuse of science – also in areas where the risks are not immediately apparent.
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The Max Planck Society regularly takes a position – often together with other scientific organizations – on select issues concerning research policy: for example, research promotion in Germany and Europe, developments in individual research fields or specific topics in various specialist fields.
