Environmental risks of chemicals and genetically modified organisms: a comparison. Part II: Sustainability and precaution in risk assessment and risk management.
The principles of precaution and sustainability require more consideration in the assessment of environmental risks posed by chemicals and genetically modified organisms. Instead of applying risk reduction measures when there are serious indications for damage, full scientific certainty is often waited for before taking action. The precautionary principle particularly should be applied in those cases in which the extent and probability of damage are uncertain, e.g. in the case of persistent chemicals which are additionally bioaccumulative or highly mobile. Based on these principles, environmental action targets for risks associated with GMOs and chemicals can be developed. Risk management not only includes statutory measures but also instruments designed to influence behaviour indirectly are important to achieve the goals. Particularly for risks of GMOs which provoke fear, risk communication is important. Some rules to which attention should be paid in communication with the public are presented.
Steinhäuser
K G
KG
Federal Environmental Agency (Umweltbundesamt-UBA), IV 2 (Stoffbewertung und Gentechnik), Postfach 330022, D-14191 Berlin, Germany. klaus-g.steinhaeuser@uba.de
D000818:Animals; D003142:Communication; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment
D004785:Environmental Pollutants