Article: Perspectives on precaution: the role of policymakers in dealing with the uncertainties of agricultural biotechnology Journal: International Journal of Global Environmental Issues (IJGENVI) 2005 Vol.5 No.1/2 pp.10 - 35 Abstract: From 1999 to 2004, the European Union had in place a moratorium on new genetically modified (GM) products. This moratorium created a tense trade dispute between the United States and the EU. While the moratorium has now been lifted, differences remain between the EU|s and US|s approach to GM products. The essence of the conflict involves differing approaches to the rate of technological transfer. The US advocates a rapid rate of technological transfer, while the EU advocates a slow and cautious rate. The EU|s ||proceed slowly|| approach is grounded in the controversial precautionary principle (PP). Crudely, the PP places the burden of proof on the developers of new technologies like GM to show that their products do not pose a threat to human health or the environment. While the PP has grown in influence in Europe over the last three decades policymakers in the US have largely rejected it. The following enquiry will examine the justifications for these conflicting perspectives on precaution toward technological transfer of GM, or transgenic research. The ultimate goal is to shed light on the role of policymakers in dealing with the uncertainties associated with this new and powerful technology. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Perspectives on precaution: the role of policymakers in dealing with the uncertainties of agricultural biotechnology

Authors: Dane Scott

Addresses: Department of Philosophy and Religion, 214 Stillwell Hall, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723, USA

Abstract: From 1999 to 2004, the European Union had in place a moratorium on new genetically modified (GM) products. This moratorium created a tense trade dispute between the United States and the EU. While the moratorium has now been lifted, differences remain between the EU|s and US|s approach to GM products. The essence of the conflict involves differing approaches to the rate of technological transfer. The US advocates a rapid rate of technological transfer, while the EU advocates a slow and cautious rate. The EU|s ||proceed slowly|| approach is grounded in the controversial precautionary principle (PP). Crudely, the PP places the burden of proof on the developers of new technologies like GM to show that their products do not pose a threat to human health or the environment. While the PP has grown in influence in Europe over the last three decades policymakers in the US have largely rejected it. The following enquiry will examine the justifications for these conflicting perspectives on precaution toward technological transfer of GM, or transgenic research. The ultimate goal is to shed light on the role of policymakers in dealing with the uncertainties associated with this new and powerful technology.

Keywords: ethics; EU/US trade dispute; genetically modified organisms; policy making; uncertainty; agricultural biotechnology; GM products; European Union; United States; USA; technological transfer rate; precautionary principle; health risk; environmental risk; transgenic research; precaution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2005.006260

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2005 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.10 - 35

Published online: 12 Feb 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Perspectives on precaution: the role of policymakers in dealing with the uncertainties of agricultural biotechnology

Keep up-to-date