Schutz vor Wissen?

The legal doctrine on technological risks of the sciences usually does not include cases in which scientific knowledge itself is dangerous. It would have a dual use: Possible appliances useful for life and health, and possible misuse as a weapon. Does the state have to prevent risky research results? The fact that attacks with biological weapons happen does not legitimise prior constraints on research questions. The theoretical possibility of useful appliances justifies the broad freedom of the sciences and the mere theoretical possibility of research results converting into bioweapons does not imply a duty of the state to protect against these results. The nuances inbetween are described in this thesis crossing the multi-level system of fundamental and human rights.