Gene Editing and Freedom of Scientific Research versus Security. What Role for International Law?
Gene Editing and Freedom of Scientific Research versus Security. What Role for International Law?

Summary/Abstract: The role of international law becomes particularly evident when discussing scientific freedom, scientific responsibility, and the handling of security-relevant research such as gene editing. I’ve often heard statements like ‘science needs freedom, and freedom entails responsibility.’ Attention should not be solely focused on the ethics of the researchers but on the safety of their lives and the results of their work. In reality, the danger lies in the abusive use of genetic research results by third parties for harmful purposes often unrelated to the researcher’s behaviour. Action to avoid discouraging research opposes these potential dangers. Researchers and institutions within a particular state are subject to the legislation of that state. In addition to regulations concerning gene editing research, international law can be applied to protect human rights, or, depending on the context, international humanitarian law becomes applicable, prohibiting torture and the use of force, the Convention on Biological Diversity, etc. From the requirements of ethics and responsibility to endangering the lives of researchers, there is a road that must be paved with precise rules for the international protection of the lives and freedoms of scientists. So, whether we’re talking about amending existing treaties or creating new ones, procedurally the 1969 Vienna Convention speaks to the same process, but the idea remains to incorporate these changes into the landscape of international law because the results of genetic research cannot be confined to a particular city or region but are beneficial to all of humanity, akin to a common heritage.

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