Conduct in the iGEM Competition is overseen by two committees of external experts: the Safety and Security Committee and the Responsible Conduct Committee. Failure to follow the rules may result in these committees choosing to take disciplinary action against your team, up to and including ineligibility for awards and disqualification from the competition.

3.1 Preventing harm

All iGEM projects, and likely all of synthetic biology, could potentially cause harm. Identifying and managing relevant risks is a key part of being a responsible synthetic biologist.

Teams must follow all of the iGEM's Safety and Security Rules throughout the competition.

Teams are responsible for identifying possible risks from their projects and managing them appropriately.

iGEM maintains a Safety and Security Hub to help teams identify and manage risks.

Team PIs are responsible for ensuring their team complies with all relevant international, regional, national, local, or institutional rules, regulations, laws and policies. The Safety and Security Hub includes resources to help with this.

The iGEM Safety and Security Committee oversees and reviews all of the safety concerns throughout the competition. They provide support and advice for teams but are also the ultimate arbiter for this rule.

Failure to follow iGEM's Safety and Security Rules can lead to immediate disqualification from the competition. It can also result in referral to the Responsible Conduct Committee.

3.2 Responsibility

Every iGEM participant must agree to adhere to the Responsible Conduct Committee's Conduct Policy at all times.

Failure to follow the RCC Policy and other Rules of Conduct may result in serious consequences for your team, including disqualification from the competition. The Responsible Conduct Committee, who reviews all cases of iGEM participant misconduct, determines what punishment, if any, the team and/or participant will face for failing to follow these rules.

3.3 Honesty

Be intellectually honest. Describe your accomplishments accurately, and do not take credit for the work of others.

Teams are expected to conduct their research openly and honestly. The Project Attribution page is incredibly important - it allows each team to clearly state who conducted the work they are presenting. We expect everyone associated with a team, including students, advisors, and faculty members, to act honorably throughout the competition. We treat any and all failure to uphold intellectual honesty as a form of cheating and all cases will be brought to the attention of the Responsible Conduct Committee for disciplinary action.

3.4 Respect

Treat everyone with respect (including teammates, instructors, advisors, other teams, judges, and Headquarters staff).

All iGEM participants are expected to treat everyone with respect. We have a zero tolerance policy for physical violence and verbal abuse. This also includes harassment over social media as well as in person. Any instance of violence or abuse during the competition and at the Giant Jamboree should be reported immediately to a member of iGEM Headquarters Staff. All reported problems will be brought to the attention of the Responsible Conduct Committee for disciplinary action.

Competition/Rules of Conduct

3. Rules of Conduct

3.1 Preventing harm

3.2 Responsibility

3.3 Honesty

3.4 Respect

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