- Investigation into the Former Scientist
Inquiry initiated against ex-scientist from Göttingen Max Planck Institute due to alleged unlawful animal testing. As per reports from the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), the case has been forwarded to the local prosecutor after their own investigation, as indicated by a representative from LAVES. The investigation unearthed infractions of the Animal Welfare Act in two separate animal tests.
The Göttingen Public Prosecutor's Office is yet to confirm the case. "Typically, it takes a few days for such matters to come to our notice," mentioned a spokesperson. This is not the first time the implicated researcher has faced scrutiny. In November 2023, the Max Planck Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences took steps to prohibit the researcher from conducting further animal experiments at the institute. In January, the woman submitted a complaint against her forced exit with the Labour Court in Göttingen. The precise date of her departure remains undisclosed.
As revealed by the court, the Max Planck Institute charged the researcher with conducting animal tests without prior authorization from the relevant body. It was alleged that she aimed to study how mice react to oxygen deficiency. The researcher had served at the institute for several years, with her employment agreement set to continue until 2026.
The ex-scientist's controversy over animal testing has led to widespread concern within the scientific community. The alleged unlawful experimentation on animals is a serious breach of the Animal Welfare Act and its related crimes.
Despite the investigation concluding infractions in two animal tests, the full extent of the researcher's wrongdoings remains under investigation by the local prosecutor.
