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Precautionary principles: general definitions and specific applications to genetically modified organisms

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  • Ragnar E. Löfstedt

    (King's Centre for Risk Management, King's College, London)

  • Baruch Fischhoff
  • Ilya R. Fischhoff

    (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton)

Abstract

Precautionary principles have been proposed as a fundamental element of sound risk management. Their advocates see them as guiding action in the face of uncertainty, encouraging the adoption of measures that reduce serious risks to health, safety, and the environment. Their opponents may reject the very idea of precautionary principles, find specific principles unacceptably vague or see them as clearly doing economic damage-either to society as a whole or to their own interests. This article traces the development of alternative precautionary principles, primarily in Europe. Their adequacy is considered in one context where such principles have often been invoked, using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. Although some precautionary principles can be given analytical rigor, the concerns that they express strain the intellectual and institutional structure of conventional policy analysis. © 2002 by the Association for Policy Analysis and Management.

Suggested Citation

  • Ragnar E. Löfstedt & Baruch Fischhoff & Ilya R. Fischhoff, 2002. "Precautionary principles: general definitions and specific applications to genetically modified organisms," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(3), pages 381-407.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:21:y:2002:i:3:p:381-407
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.10051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Samantha L. Mosier & Arbindra Rimal & Megan M. Ruxton, 2020. "A Song of Policy Incongruence: The Missing Choir of Consumer Preferences in GMO‐Labeling Policy Outcomes," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 37(4), pages 511-534, July.
    2. Ann Bostrom & Ragnar E. Löfstedt, 2003. "Communicating Risk: Wireless and Hardwired," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(2), pages 241-248, April.
    3. Turvey, Calum G. & Mojduszka, Eliza M., 2005. "The Precautionary Principle and the law of unintended consequences," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 145-161, April.
    4. Mumford, John & Gray, David, 2010. "Consumer engagement in alternative energy--Can the regulators and suppliers be trusted?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 2664-2671, June.
    5. Iván Darío Gómez Lee, 2016. "La Seguridad Jurídica. Una Teoría Multidisciplinaria Aplicada A Las Instituciones Vol.Ii," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Derecho, number 851, October.
    6. Varios Autores, 2016. "Lecturas Sobre Derecho Del Medio Ambiente. Tomo Xvi," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Derecho, number 852, October.
    7. Gerstetter, Christiane & Maier, Matthias Leonhard, 2005. "Risk regulation, trade and international law: debating the precautionary principle in and around the WTO," TranState Working Papers 18, University of Bremen, Collaborative Research Center 597: Transformations of the State.
    8. Randall, Alan, 2009. "We Already Have Risk Management - Do We Really Need the Precautionary Principle?," International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics, now publishers, vol. 3(1), pages 39-74, August.
    9. Robin Gregory & Baruch Fischhoff & Tim McDaniels, 2005. "Acceptable Input: Using Decision Analysis to Guide Public Policy Deliberations," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 4-16, March.

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