The Ethics Committee is responsible for research which does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Law on Human Research of 30 September 2011 or the Stem Cell Research Law of 19 December 2003.
The Ethics Committee consists of a minimum of five members selected from amongst the full professors (including the Vice President Research) as well as a representative from the mid‐level faculty and a corresponding number of deputies. The Committee includes experts in jurisprudence and ethics. The ongoing business of the Ethics Committee is managed by the Chair of the Committee (Prof. Dr. Torsten Tomczak) and the Committee's Offices.
Before commencing any research project, the Ethics Committee of the University of St.Gallen should be consulted in the following cases (and, if necessary, an assessment should be obtained from the Committee):
a) Research involving the examination of individuals,
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entailing risks to health or mental strain;
- which may trigger strong negative emotions (e.g. disgust, anger, fear);
- in which student participants are discriminated against on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or political views;
- in which test subjects are required to recount traumatic experiences;
- in which student participants' self‐perception is severely questioned through manipulation;
- involving minors;
- in which participants are knowingly misled;
- which is ethically problematic for other reasons.
b) Research involving data relating to individuals or organisations.
c) Research which endangers animal welfare.
d) Research that can harm the well-being of uninvolved third parties.
Regardless of the Ethics Committee's assessment, the scientists shall always remain responsible for their own actions. In addition to the regulations imposed by the federal and cantonal governments, the pertinent codes of conduct and scientific standards shall also apply. The Ethics Committee takes all pertinent national and international recommendations into consideration.