Gian Francesco Giudice: “Ethical responsibility is essential in fundamental research”

1. Societal Impacts of Big Science

Question: In your opinion, what are the most important social, technological, and ethical contributions that have resulted from CERN’s Big Science?

Answer: Large scientific projects create a fertile ground for innovation, often exceeding their planned objectives. While it is difficult to predict the practical applications of the ultimate goals of these large projects, their true technological significance lies in the research undertaken to achieve thеse goals. These projects require cutting-edge technologies that may not even exist at the project’s inception, leading to inevitable practical applications.

A prime example is the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which is the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. No one can say with certainty today if the discovery of the Higgs boson or any other exotic particle will lead to practical applications. However, the research that contributed to the construction of the LHC has already resulted in many valuable spin-offs. For instance, advancements in accelerator technology have led to hadron therapy for cancer treatment and the development of synchrotron light, which serves various purposes, including functioning as an ”X-ray microscope”. Innovations in particle detector technology have produced various medical diagnostic techniques and real-time analysis systems. Furthermore, advancements in information technology contributed to the creation of the World Wide Web and grid computing. From a technological standpoint, large projects serve as unique drivers of progress, which would be impossible without the motivation provided by fundamental science.

From an ethical perspective, large scientific projects provide a unique environment for collaboration. Basic research, due to its universal nature and independence from economic or military interests, is particularly suited for international partnerships, and large projects serve as the best platforms for such collaboration. These initiatives allow countries, especially those lacking resources, to engage in significant scientific challenges.

Moreover, large scientific endeavors can strengthen peaceful international ties and foster cooperation between hostile nations, potentially leading to political rapprochement. A notable contemporary example is SESAME (Synchrotron Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), a research project based in Jordan. This initiative involves a scientific collaboration that includes Israel, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as the Palestinian National Authority.

Large scientific projects also create significant opportunities for educating and training students and young researchers. These young scientists and engineers develop skills in solving complex problems, mastering advanced technologies and working within interdisciplinary teams. While not all scientists will continue in academic research, they will carry their valuable skills and experiences into various sectors of society. Therefore, investments in large scientific projects are investments in the future generations of skilled and competent members of society.

2. The Future of Public Funding and CERN’s Role

Questions: In an era when Artificial Intelligence and the private sector are increasingly taking the lead in research initiatives, how do you see the future of public funding for scientific institutions such as CERN, and what do you envision for CERN’s long-term mission?

Answers: Research in the private sector has always been a crucial element for societal progress, and this is increasingly evident today with advances in Artificial Intelligence and nuclear fusion. However, private research is ultimately driven by profit, highlighting the importance of public research. A wellbalanced society needs the public sector to fund independent research whose goals are not limited by profit motivations.

CERN serves as a successful example of the interplay between publicly and privately funded research. While CERN’s research primarily aims for fundamental knowledge, it maintains a close relationship with private companies. The requirements for cutting-edge prototypes push industries to explore new manufacturing techniques that would be too risky to pursue in a purely market driven environment.

CERN has an ambitious long-term vision with the Future Circular Collider (FCC), which, if approved, will eventually replace the LHC. The FCC requires a 91 km tunnel and the development of new technologies, opening up new frontiers in research.

3. Ethics and Responsibility in Scientific Experimentation

Question: Some critics, such as Otto Rössler, have voiced concerns that microscopic black holes created in the LHC could be stable and potentially endanger the planet. How do you balance scientific curiosity with moral responsibility toward society when dealing with such speculative but potentially risky experiments?

Answer: Ethical responsibility is essential in fundamental research. While exploring the frontiers of knowledge can be fascinating, it also involves certain risks. I believe the particle physics community is well aware of these risks and considers them carefully.

Before the LHC began its operations, some media outlets and pseudoscientists claimed that running the Collider could produce microscopic black holes that might destroy the Earth. In 2003, CERN issued a report that addressed this concern scientifically, demonstrating that the claim was unfounded, as it contradicted astronomical observations.

The high level of ethical responsibility among particle physicists is also evident in the recently published feasibility study for the FCC. This study not only covers scientific and technological aspects but also thoroughly examines the project’s environmental and societal impacts in all dimensions.

4. Security and Transparency in Research

Question: Although CERN maintains high safety standards, there have been concerns about potential vulnerabilities – including earlier incidents such as the hacking of the CERN’s systems by the 2600 group. How does CERN ensure that its experiments remain secure and protected, given the immense complexity and value of its research infrastructure?

Answer: CERN is aware that it could be a potential target for attacks from terrorists, hackers, or other malicious individuals. The facility is protected by security guards and various electronic alarm systems. The most sensitive areas are continually monitored by CCTV cameras for video surveillance.

Arguably, the most critical component is the computing and information system. The CERN Computing Security team has established an effective network of control systems and is constantly thwarting cyberattacks. However, there is no solution that is 100% secure. As hackers develop new methods to breach security, the team must continuously create new protective measures. This presents a significant challenge for our IT Department.

5. Boundaries of Scientific Power

Questions: As scientific capabilities expand beyond what previous generations could even imagine, where should we draw the ethical boundaries of exploration? Should there be areas of inquiry that science deliberately chooses not to pursue – and if so, who should make those decisions?

Answers: Ethical issues play a crucial role in fields such as biophysics and Artificial Intelligence, while they are less prominent in particle physics because of the more abstract nature of our discipline. However, every scientist should be engaged with aspects that affect society as a whole.

The ethical boundaries of scientific exploration are a delicate matter that cannot be left solely to scientists. Legal, economic, and social experts must also participate in the discussion. It is important to ensure that different areas of expertise are not conflated. In scientific matters, the opinions of scientists should carry more weight than those of lawyers, while the reverse should hold true in legal matters. Although this principle may seem obvious, the importance of expert knowledge is often overlooked in public debates.

Interview by Vesna de Vinča

This interview was conducted during the World Conference on Science and Art for Sustainability, held September 22–24, 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia.