Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

In the event of allegations of academic misconduct, the ombudspersons advise members of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin confidentially as neutral contact persons.

The Commission for the Review of Allegations of Scientific Misconduct (KWF) reviews allegations against members and former members of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. As a matter of principle, it does not review research work that was carried out within the framework of the degree programmes offered at HU (with the exception of doctoral programmes).The review criteria and the commission's procedures are described in detail in the GWP statutes of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Further information can be found on the page "Allegations of academic misconduct". Link

• Alternatively, employees of the Humboldt-Universität zu
  Berlin can also turn to the Ombudsman for Science of the German Research
  German Research Foundation (DFG). Link

Research with and on genetic materials of animal or plant origin

The Nagoya Protocol is an instrument of international law which seeks to ensure

"the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding, thereby contributing to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components." Art. 1, Nagoya Protocol)

The Protocol is relevant for all research projects in which certain genetic materials are used or processed, or which investigate traditional knowledge about those plants and animals from which the material was obtained.

These are the definitions in the EU Regulation (511/2014 in Article 3, paragraphs 1, 2 and 7):

• Genetic materials, i.e. any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin that contains functional units,
• genetic resources, i.e. genetic material with actual or potential value, but also
• traditional knowledge relating to genetic resources belonging to an indigenous or local community, or indigenous or local community relevant to the use of the genetic resources.

Legal principles relevant for researchers

When conducting research with and on genetic materials and resources, both the legal requirements on the European side and those of the provider states must be observed. Particularly relevant on the European side:

• The EU Regulation on compliance measures for users from the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization in the Union Text with EEA relevance. EU Regulation (511/2014). Link
• The Implementing Regulation laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 511/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the register of collections, monitoring user compliance and best practices.  EU implementing regulation (2015/1866). Link
• The (German) Act on the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol Obligation and on the Implementation of Regulation (EU) No. 511/2014 defines the tasks and powers, orders and remedial measures as well as provisions on fines. The competent authority for this in Germany is the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. "Gesetz zur Umsetzung der Verpflichtung nach dem Nagoya-Protokoll und zur Durchführung der Verordnung (EU) Nr. 511/2014. Link

Researchers must also comply with the laws and requirements of the provider states. This applies regardless of whether the provider states have signed the Nagoya Protocol or not. For more information, researchers can also visit the ABS Clearing House on the website of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. Here you will also find extensive further information on the use of genetic resources. Link

Support and assistance

• The "German Nagoya Protocol HuB" is a project funded by the German Federal Government (Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bfn) and Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)) that aims to support researchers to better understand all legal obligations of the Nagoya Protocol. It is carried out by the following institutions:
  • Leibniz Institute DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ).
  • The Consortium "German Natural Science Research Collections" (DNFS)
  • Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity (LFN BioDiv)
  • Association of Biology, Biosciences and Biomedicine (VBIO)
• Explanatory Notes for Researchers by the German Rearch Foundation: DFG (2021): Erläuterungen zu Forschungs- und/oder Entwicklungsvorhaben, die Zugang zu genetischen Ressourcen und/oder zu traditionellem Wissen, das sich auf genetische Ressourcen bezieht, beinhalten [Explanatory notes on research and/or development projects involving access to genetic resources and/or traditional knowledge relating to genetic resources. Only available in German]. Link

Support services of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin follow.

The DFG portal on scientific integrity provides subject-specific comments on the guidelines for good scientific practice and further information on the topic. Link