The life sciences are constantly developing new methods and processes for the production, modification and use of living organisms, e.g. in genetic and reproductive medicine as well as in plant breeding. Innovative biotechnological tools such as genome editing using the CRISPR gene scissors are not only replacing other technologies, but are also raising new ethical and legal questions that are putting life sciences law under pressure to innovate.

The ZLSR examines these transformative biotechnologies with the aim of providing legal advice on the development of legislation and case law in areas such as genetic engineering law, reproductive medicine law, synthetic biology and patent and plant variety protection law. We are particularly interested in the interaction between technical and legal innovations in the field of biotechnology. The research field also deals with current legal challenges in the areas of euthanasia and transplantation medicine.

Humans have become the dominant factor influencing the earth's natural systems: high emissions of greenhouse gases, destruction of ecosystems (loss of biodiversity) and pollution of the environment (plastic, chemicals). The term Anthropocene has been coined to describe this geological era shaped by human activity. Its dynamics have diverse consequences for human health. Health law can therefore no longer be limited to individual treatment and institutional structures. Instead, it must consider environmental and climatic factors as constitutive dimensions of human health.

The ZLSR is researching this paradigm shift. Research perspectives include the "One Health" approach, greater consideration of prevention and resilience as well as an understanding of health as an integral component of planetary sustainability.

Digitalization has the potential to fundamentally change healthcare. Collecting, processing and evaluating data - often with the help of artificial intelligence - offers countless opportunities to improve medical diagnostics and treatment in particular and to increase the efficiency of the healthcare system. At the same time, new challenges arise: Data processing opens up opportunities for discrimination and can restrict the self-determination of patients, especially as the data used is usually personal. Finally, there is also the central question of how the proceeds of data use are distributed.

Against this backdrop, the ZLSR is investigating the interaction between digitalization as a technical and social phenomenon and the existing set of norms. The subject of research is not only data protection and data security, but also innovation protection law, criminal and civil liability, regulatory requirements and all infrastructures and framework conditions that can influence the governance of health data.