Statement of the MPG on the discontinuation of proceedings against Nikos Logothetis

Return of full management functions to Nikos Logothetis

In view of its own compliance requirements and the MPG's interest in legality, the Executive Board of the Max Planck Society had decided to revoke some of Prof. Logothetis’s management functions with regard to the use of animals in research when the penalty order was issued against him. After the district court of Tübingen announced on December 19, 2018, that it will discontinue the case against Nikos Logothetis in return for payment of a sum of money, the Executive Board has once again addressed the issue of management functions. The Board no longer sees any reason to uphold the partial revocation of management functions for Nikos Logothetis after the penalty order ceases to exist and the MPG has created new structures to ensure the independence of animal husbandry and animal welfare.

At the Institute, a new animal keeping core facility will be established as of January 1, 2019. The core facility is managed by the Board of Directors, in which all Directors are represented, and reports directly to the Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics. Animal welfare is safeguarded in close coordination and cooperation with the University of Tübingen. The core facility consists of four employees and a newly hired veterinarian. As a service facility, the animal keeping facilities are available equally to all scientific groups and departments. Independent animal welfare officers monitor all research projects involving the use of animals.

With Peter Dayan, the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics has had a new director since October 2018, who is also the Managing Director. He is one of the world's leading theoretical neuroscientists and applies i.a. as a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence. As a director, Dayan will set up a new department at the institute and will decisively shape the future development of the institute (press release from September 25, 2018).

updated version of the statement from 19.12.2018