DKFZ Passes Ethical Code on the Non-Acceptance of Tobacco Industry Funds for Cancer Research
The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is the first research institute in Germany to pass an ethical code on the non-acceptance of tobacco industry funds for cancer research. The DKFZ Management Board and Scientific Council have unanimously decided that the Center and its staff members reject any financial support from the tobacco industry for research funding, expert fees, lecture fees, travel expenses, scientific and other awards. Furthermore, participation in events organized by the tobacco industry or third parties that are substantially sponsored by the tobacco industry are likewise rejected.
This decision of Germany’s largest health research center is coupled with the scientists’ wish that other research centers and health institutes may follow this example. The tobacco industry can never be a partner of health research, because it is the only industry that produces, sells and advertises products which, if used as intended, cause addiction, disease and premature death to a large part of their consumers. Each year, 100,000 people die from the consequences of tobacco consumption in Germany alone. These are more deaths than those caused by alcohol, illegal drugs, road accidents, AIDS, homicides and suicides taken together.
With more than 3,000 employees, the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is Germany’s largest biomedical research institute. DKFZ scientists identify cancer risk factors, investigate how cancer progresses and develop new cancer prevention strategies. They are also developing new methods to diagnose tumors more precisely and treat cancer patients more successfully. The DKFZ's Cancer Information Service (KID) provides patients, interested citizens and experts with individual answers to questions relating to cancer.
To transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the clinic and thus improve the prognosis of cancer patients, the DKFZ cooperates with excellent research institutions and university hospitals throughout Germany:
The DKFZ is 90 percent financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and 10 percent by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The DKFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.
