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Table of Contents Edition
Precautionary Principle: Reasonable, Rational, and Responsible
Using examples from modern life (chemicals in breast milk, toxic
lead in paint, fetal alcohol syndrome, and toxic flame retardants),
toxicologist Steve Gilbert presents five common elements to a
precautionary approach. We successfully apply precaution in the
pharmaceutical industry, so why can't we apply it to industrial
chemicals that cause cancer, brain damage, a myriad of other health
effects, and environmental damage?
Biotech Crops: Sound Science vs. the Precautionary Principle
Some U.S. farmers argue that "sound science" should convince
Japanese and European consumers to buy genetically modified foods from
the U.S. Here Daryll E. Ray, professor of agricultural policy,
University of Tennessee, suggests that the precautionary approach may
be more scientific than the "sound science" approach.
Philippino Farmers Call for Ban on Genetically Modified Crops
Farmers in Mindanao, Philippines recently called for an end to
industrialized agriculture, a ban on genetically engineered crops, and
a return to organic growing techniques.
Let Them Eat Precaution
In this anonymous book review, the American Enterprise Institute
claims that the third world is being deprived of the benefits of
genetically modified crops because of the precautionary principle. We
have added links to offer alternative viewpoints on some of the issues
raised here. The real food problem in the third world is that millions
of people are too poor to pay for food that is already available.
Genetically engineered crops won't solve that problem.
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Rachel's Precaution Reporter offers news, views and practical
examples of the Precautionary Principle, or Foresight Principle, in
action. The Precautionary Principle is a modern way of making
decisions, to minimize harm. Rachel's Precaution Reporter tries to
answer such questions as, Why do we need the precautionary
principle? Who is using precaution? Who is opposing precaution?
We often include attacks on the precautionary principle because we
believe it is essential for advocates of precaution to know what
their adversaries are saying, just as abolitionists in 1830 needed
to know the arguments used by slaveholders.
Rachel's Precaution Reporter is published as often as necessary to
provide readers with up-to-date coverage of the subject.
As you come across stories that illustrate the precautionary
principle -- or the need for the precautionary principle --
please Email them to us at rpr@rachel.org.
Editors:
Peter Montague - peter@rachel.org
Tim Montague - tim@rachel.org
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