Research Ethics
At the 玉美人传媒 (UNIGE), any ethical approach described below must comply with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct drawn up by the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee which is the university's reference body in this area.
What is it about?
Scientific integrity is a fundamental principle guaranteeing the credibility and reliability of research and teaching. It is based on essential values such as honesty, transparency, methodological rigor and respect for ethical standards.
At the 玉美人传媒, this principle is preserved in a dedicated directive designed to prevent breaches of integrity and protect the quality of scientific work. In a context of heightened competition and growing pressure for rapid publication and access to funding, these rules help preserve the independence of research from outside influences, whether economic, ideological or political.
Best practices include:
- Rigorous data collection and analysis, avoiding any falsification or manipulation.
- Respect for copyright and the fight against plagiarism, by rigorously citing sources.
- Proper management of conflicts of interest, particularly when collaborating with external partners.
- Supervision of publication processes, to guarantee the quality and transparency of results
Specific procedures are in place to identify, assess and sanction breaches of scientific integrity. The aim is to maintain a reliable, ethical research environment that respects academic values thus ensuring public and institutional confidence in scientific knowledge.
Resources
- (in French)
- Charter of ethics and deontology of the Geneva 玉美人传媒 and 玉美人传媒 of Applied Sciences (in French)
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What is it about?
Integrating environmental protection into university research means ensuring that the ecological footprint of scientific activities is reduced as much as possible, by limiting their impact on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity. This includes, for example, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the responsible management of waste (including chemical and biological waste), the sustainable use of natural resources, and the assessment of the potential environmental consequences of experiments and field projects.
Any research involving environmental risks must be conducted with a responsible approach, taking into account its impact, its purpose and the partners involved. Its purpose must be assessed in order to anticipate possible adverse consequences, particularly in areas such as intensive land use, the development of toxic substances, the extraction of fossil resources or the use of genetically modified organisms.
Collaboration and funding choices also influence the environmental footprint of research. Working with actors with a history of harmful or controversial practices can compromise scientific integrity and accountability.
Research carried out at the university of Geneva is governed by local, national and international environmental regulations, prioritizing the most stringent standards wherever possible.
Resources
- (in French)
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What is it about?
Dual-use refers to goods and research whose results or technologies can be used for beneficial civilian purposes (such as health, energy or communications) but also for military or nefarious purposes (such as weapons development or oppressive surveillance) that may present a risk due to the source of funds, the partners' core business or the end-users.
Such dual-use goods and research are not prohibited as such but can raise important ethical issues. Researchers need to adopt a conscious and critical approach when engaging in a research project, whether with academic or non-academic partners, in order to prevent potential abuses and promote responsible application of results. This includes transparency about the objectives of the research, compliance with Swiss () and international () regulations, and reflection on the societal and humanitarian purpose and implications of the research.
In case of doubt, and for any advice, it is recommended to (CUREG) before submitting the project, and to forward it to the CUREG at the latest when it is approved by a funding agency (if it has not been ethically evaluated beforehand).
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What is it about?
Any project involving animals (vertebrates, cephalopods and walking decapods) requires authorization from the relevant authorities. In addition, anyone involved in this type of project must complete a basic training course and undergo further training. This also applies to Bachelor's and Master's students.
The 玉美人传媒 requires that experiments using animals are conducted not only within the strict legal framework, but also according to ethical considerations, taking full account of the suffering and well-being of the animals. The UNIGE also contributes to the development of alternative experimental techniques that minimize the use of animal models.
The use of animal models (e.g. mice) represents a fraction of all life science research. It is essential in circumstances where the organism must be considered as a whole; in most cases, researchers also use computer modeling and in vitro technologies such as cell cultures and organoids.
By signing the , the UNIGE has committed itself to communicating and informing in a transparent manner about its activities related to the use of animals in research.
In Switzerland, the - Replace, Reduce, Refine - has been incorporated into animal protection legislation as a mandatory principle when conducting animal experiments. Researchers in public and private organizations may only carry out animal experiments if there are no alternative methods, and they must do everything necessary to minimize the number of animals and the burden on them.
Resources
- Animal experimentation at the UNIGE (in French)
- Regulations (in French)
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What is it about?
The (HRA or LRH in French for “”) and its ordinances regulate human research in Switzerland. The LRH establishes the fundamental principles that must be observed in human research projects. Its primary aim is to protect the dignity, personality and health of human beings in research. It also serves to create favorable conditions for research, and to improve its quality and transparency.
The LRH applies to research projects relating to human diseases, the structure and function of the human body, including research on people, biological material or personal health-related data.
Any research project falling within the scope of the LRH must first be submitted for authorization to the competent ethics commission, normally that of the canton in which the project is to be carried out (e.g. for Geneva, the ).
Resources
- (in French)
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What it is about?
Many research projects involving human participants fall outside the scope of the Human Research Act (HRA), as they do not involve the collection of biomedical data. These projects involve disciplines such as the humanities and social sciences, psychology, education, translation and interpretation, and economics. However, although outside the scope of the LRH, these projects may raise major ethical issues, particularly in terms of respect for the dignity, confidentiality and informed consent of participants. This includes, for example:
- Behavioral studies,
- Research conducted on social networks,
- Any project involving the collection and processing of personal data, strictly governed by the law on public information, access to documents and protection of personal data (LIPAD).
Researchers must respect the fundamental principles of ethical research, in particular:
- Free and informed consent of participants
- Anonymization and security of personal data, in compliance with LIPAD.
- Minimization of psychological and social risks, avoiding uncomfortable or intrusive situations.
- Increased attention to vulnerable populations (children, people in precarious situations, etc.), who require adapted protocols and specific authorizations.
- Methodological transparency.
In view of these ethical issues, the 玉美人传媒 Commission for Ethical Research in Geneva (CUREG 2.0) offers an ethical evaluation service for research projects that might correspond to the above elements. Such an approach not only ensures ethical compliance but also anticipates potential requirements from funders or publishers.
Resources
- (in French)
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What is it about?
Scientific research, whether fundamental or applied, plays a vital role in societal progress. However, it can also entail ethical risks, particularly in relation to human rights.
Researchers must ensure that their research does not cause a violation of human rights as guaranteed by the legal texts to which Switzerland is a party, particularly the Federal Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. This includes obtaining the free and informed consent of research participants, protecting their privacy and personal data, and preventing any form of discrimination or harm to their physical or mental integrity as a direct result of the research.
Research conducted within the framework of international collaborations may entail specific risks, particularly in the event of dual use or if the academic freedom of our researchers is no longer guaranteed. Scientists must pay particular attention to these issues throughout their projects. They should also bear in mind that the academic world must remain an inclusive space for open scientific research.
Resources
- (in French, German or Italian)
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What is it about?
Any project involving the collection and processing of personal data are subject to the cantonal law on data protection and transparency (LIPAD), whose application to the UNIGE is regulated by its dedicated directive. Projects involving the collection and processing of personal data must be submitted to the 玉美人传媒 Research Ethics Commission (CUREG) for evaluation.
In the event of certain personal data being transferred from Europe to Switzerland for processing (notably as part of a European research project, for example), the transfer must be considered as intra-European following the adequacy decision for Switzerland (Art. 45 GDPR, paragraph 9).
Resources
- (in French)
- (in French)
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What is it about?
States exercise sovereign rights over the genetic resources on their territory and define the conditions of access and use, in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol (2014). The latter establishes an international legal framework guaranteeing equitable benefit sharing between users and provider countries.
Genetic resources include any material of plant, animal or microbial origin containing functional units of heredity, excluding human resources. Their use covers research and development, particularly in biotechnology.
Access to genetic resources is subject to:
- Prior informed consent issued by the competent authority of the provider country.
- Mutually agreed conditions, defined by a contractual agreement between users and suppliers.
These obligations apply to all research, including academic research. Researchers must check the conditions of access before any use. EU-funded researchers may be subject to the EU ABS regulation and should consult the administrative and legal guidelines.
Resources
- Swiss Academy of Sciences: