Title: Binary approaches to biological risks

Authors: Ange-Hélène Yebga Hot; Toualy Serge Thibaut Ouina; Marie-Pierre Baudin-Maurin; Marina Koussemon; Jean Michel Panoff

Addresses: Law Department, Normandy University, Demolombe Institute (EA 967), Risk division at the Social Sciences Research House (MRSH), Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen cedex 5, France ' Agroforestry Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University (UJLoG), BP 150 Daloa, Ivory Coast ' Center for Comparative Law and Politics – Jean-Claude Escarras (CDPC-JCE), Toulon University (UTLN), Bureau 210, 35, Rue Alphonse Daudet, 83000 Toulon, France ' Food Science and Technology Training and Research Unit (UFR-STA), Nangui Abrogoua University (UNA), 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Ivory Coast ' Food, Bioprocess, Toxicology, Environments Laboratory (ABTE – EA4651), Network on risks, Quality and Sustainable Environments (MRSH), University of Caen – Normandy, Campus 1, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen Cedex, France

Abstract: Concerning biological risks, European Union and Governments policies mainly rely on two scientific classifications (2000/54/EC; 2009/41/EC). However, recent health concerns (e.g., avian flu epidemic) and environmental damages (e.g., GMOs) have questioned the limitations of those categorisations, stressing the need for accurate tools to assess and manage biological risks. The aim of this study is to provide an original analysis of the biological risks, beyond the common categorisations, taking into account, by using binary approaches, the biological risks diversity. This research work has non-exhaustively identified ten couples, namely microbiology/macrobiology, natural/provoked risks, naturally pathogen biological agents/genetically modified organisms, indigenous/invasive states, health/environment, primary target/collateral consequences, synthetic/natural biology, exobiology/endobiology, proven/potential risks and assessment/management. This present study will likely be useful to improve the decision-making process regarding the biological risks.

Keywords: biological risk; biology; risk; hazard; assessment; management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2020.106970

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2020 Vol.23 No.2, pp.134 - 148

Accepted: 11 Apr 2019
Published online: 29 Apr 2020 *

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