The Precautionary Principle in the Risk Management of Modern Biotechnology

Abstract

The precautionary principle is presumed to provide guidance when our scientificknowledge of the harmful effects of a proposed activity is significantly incomplete.In this paper, I will identify a three-part structure shared by every formulation of theprecautionary principle. Second, the paper claims that the implementation of theprecautionary principle has to deal with many currently open questions and problems.Third, I argue that two particular criticisms do not lead to abandonment of theprinciple.