Precautionary Principle
An approach to determining whether a given process or policy should be pursued or continued based on an analysis of the social, economic, or environmental risks associated with that activity. Not all risks are known when a new practice is introduced or a current one is re-examined, and the ethical approach in light of implied or expected (but not confirmed) negative impacts is to stop such practices as a precaution until more is known about the impacts.
The Precautionary Principle has been used in many health and environment-related issues, such as food safety, industrial manufacturing, product recalls, and the approval or recall of pharmaceuticals.
An Interesting Exchange with Some Anti-Green Humor
We had an interesting submission to the carnival of the green last week from a blog called “The Radical Libertarian” entitled greenies and their beliefs. It’s a humorous punch at some of the more radically left-of-center folks who rally under…