Dr Rath has a broad academic background ranging from biology and environmental sciences to toxicology and law. Currently he is the head of the DNA laboratory located at the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Vienna, where he also teaches and is responsible for safety (e.g. biosafety, chemical and radiological safety). In addition Dr Rath works as an independent advisor on ethical issues with a focus on safety, security and privacy related issues to the Austrian government, the United Nations, the European Commission and individual research projects. He has published on various aspects of ethics in relation to safety and security and been a frequent speaker at international workshops and conferences relevant to this area.