Wert der Wissenschaft – was darf Wissenschaft?

The value of science is evident. It is impossible not to imagine its existence in a world that has also been formed by human knowledge. The state respects the autonomy of science and promotes it. Within a highly differentiated economy, the financial support of the state makes possible the availability of scientifically educated holders of professional qualifications. The state adopts the regulations of the state of knowledge for or- der purposes without however having the right to judge on the scientific truths within. The value of science is one of those truths that are »self evident«. The limits of science are only partly confirmed by such evidence. As such even »ethics« are not an inherent barrier to academic freedom. The modern state guarantees ethical basic requirements through the protection of legal interests. The access to third parties' legal interests without consent lies outside the are of academic freedom from the outset. The same applies to so-called scientific work that does not comply with the rules that serve as a (relative) guarantee of correctness. Furthermore, the regulations of the general legal system provide for the necessary protection of research that is not privileged in that respect. The ambivalence of the knowledge that is gained through research is subject of the legislative obligation to protect and is no reason to limit the enhancement of scienctific knowledge.