Article 5 of the German Basic Law enshrines the freedom of science. This legitimizes scientific and research actors to decide freely what and how research is to be conducted and how the results are to be interpreted.

Scientific work is subject to constitutional law and must be in accordance with it. 

Science should ensure the closest possible approximation to the truth through systematic research. 

Scientific freedom is intended to ensure that science and research are not instrumentalized, for example, by political or profit-oriented interests.