With an extensive obituary, ENSSER and CSS commemorate the eminent biologist Christine von Weizsäcker, who passed away on October 16. She played a major role on the international stage in giving environmental protection a basis of independent science.
A characteristic concept developed by Christine von Weizsäcker is that of “error-friendliness” (Fehlerfreundlichkeit): the capacity to accommodate and learn from errors. This should be a central principle in technological development, she maintained. Nuclear power technology and genetic engineering, for instance, are not error-friendly enough: their potential for catastrophic consequences leaves little room for error.
Von Weizsäcker played a decisive role in the development and establishment, in 2000, of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the United Nations’ agreement on the safe handling, transport and use of genetically modified organisms.
Through her tireless support of independent science and scientists, she was also a natural participant in the founding of ENSSER in 2009 and a great supporter of CSS.“In Memory of Christine von Weizsäcker”, ENSSER and CSS, https://ensser.org/publications/publications_2026/in-memory-of-christine-von-weizsacker/
Press contact:
ENSSER: Diederick Sprangers, dsprangers @ ensser.org
CSS: Tamara Lebrecht, lebrecht @ criticalscientists.ch
ENSSER brings together dedicated, independent researchers at the European level to advance public-good scientific research in the fields of environmental protection, biological diversity and health; to re-equip policy regulation with the scientific teeth to combat the negative impacts of new technologies and the products derived from them.
The association Critical Scientists Switzerland (CSS) aims to promote independent science and research that serves the public interest, strengthens long-term environmental and social sustainability and protects biodiversity and human health from the negative consequences of new technologies and resulting products.