IN DUBIO PRO NATURA? A Philosophical Analysis of the Precautionary Principle in Environmental and Health Risk Governance

In this book, I apply a philosophical approach to study the precautionary principle in environmental (and health) risk decision-making. The principle says that unacceptable environmental and health risks should be anticipated, and they ought to be forestalled before the damage comes to fruition even if scientific understanding of the risks is inadequate. The study consists of introductory chapters, summary and seven original publications which aim at explicating the principle, critically analysing the debate on the principle, and constructing a basis for the well-founded use of the principle. Papers I-V present the main thesis of this research. In the two last papers, the discussion is widened to new directions. The starting question is how well the currently embraced precautionary principle stands up to critical philosophical scrutiny. The approach employed is analytical: mainly conceptual, argumentative and ethical. The study draws upon Anglo-American style philosophy on the one hand, and upon sources of law as well as concrete cases and decision-making practices at the European Union level and in its member countries on the other. The framework is environmental (and health) risk governance, including the related law and policy. The main thesis of this study is that the debate on the precautionary principle needs to be shifted from the question of whether the principle (or its weak or strong interpretation) is well-grounded in general to questions about the theoretical plausibility and ethical and socio-political justifiability of specific understandings of the principle. The real picture of the precautionary principle is more complex than that found (i.e. presumed) in much of the current academic, political and public debate surrounding it. While certain presumptions and interpretations of the principle are found to be sound, others are theoretically flawed or include serious practical problems. The analysis discloses conceptual and ethical presumptions and elementary understandings of the precautionary principle, critically assesses current practices invoked in the name of the precautionary principle and public participation, and seeks to build bridges between precaution, engagement and philosophical ethics. Hence, it is intended to provide a sound basis upon which subsequent academic scrutiny can build.Siirretty Doriast

Introduction: Emotions and Global Challenges of Inequality

An introduction to the special issue, by the guest editor

Ilmastovitkuttelu ja tieteellinen epävarmuus

Peer reviewe

Multi-case review of the application of the precautionary principle in European Union Law and Case Law

The precautionary principle was formulated to provide a basis for political action to protect the environment from potentially severe or irreversible harm in circumstances of scientific uncertainty that prevent a full risk or cost-benefit analysis. It underpins environmental law in the European Union and has been extended to include public health and consumer safety. The aim of this study was to examine how the precautionary principle has been interpreted and subsequently applied in practice, whether these applications were consistent, and whether they followed the guidance from the Commission. A review of the literature was used to develop a framework for analysis, based on three attributes: severity of potential harm, standard of evidence (or degree of uncertainty), and nature of the regulatory action. This was used to examine 15 pieces of legislation or judicial decisions. The decision whether or not to apply the precautionary principle appears to be poorly defined, with ambiguities inherent in determining what level of uncertainty and significance of hazard justifies invoking it. The cases reviewed suggest that the Commission's guidance was not followed consistently in forming legislation, although judicial decisions tended to be more consistent and to follow the guidance by requiring plausible evidence of potential hazard in order to invoke precaution

Geenien muokkaus uusilla tekniikoilla: kasvit, eläimet, mikrobit

CRISPR/Cas9 teknologian soveltaminen genomieditointiin on saanut valtavasti huomiota ja sitä on pidetty mullistavana teknologiana, jonka vaikutukset ja mahdollisuudet ovat paljon laajemmat kuin perinteisten geenimuuntelumenetelmien. Tässä julkaisussa, joka on valmisteltu geenitekniikan lautakunnan pyynnöstä keväällä 2018 valmistuneen muistion pohjalta, selvitetään esimerkkien avulla CRISPR/Cas9 teknologian erilaisia sovelluksia erityisesti kasvinjalostuksessa ja malarian torjunnassa. Mikrobeihin kohdistuvaa genomie-ditointia sivutaan lyhyesti. CRISPR/Cas9-teknologia mahdollistaa myös populaatioissa itseään levittävien geenielementtien (ns. geeniajurien) rakentamisen. Julkaisussa tarkas-tellaan myös genomieditointisovellusten suhdetta geenitekniikkalainsäädäntöön. Erityisen ongelman muodosti pitkään se, että oli epäselvää miten EU:n lainsäädäntöä sovelletaan uusiin tekniikoihin, jotka mahdollistavat kohdennetun mutageneesin tavalla, jota ei voi erottaa luonnon mutaatioista. Tilannetta on selkeyttänyt EU-tuomioistuimen (EUT) heinä-kuussa 2018 tekemä päätös, jossa se otti kantaa uusien mutageneesitekniikoiden juridiseen asemaan. Biotekniikan neuvottelukunta laatii terveyskysymyksistä erillisen selvityksen. </p

Invited review: Sustainability of the US dairy industry

The US dairy industry has realized tremendous improvements in efficiencies and milk production since the 1940s. During this time, farm and total cow numbers have decreased and average herd size has increased. This intensification, combined with the shift to a largely urban public, has resulted in increased scrutiny of the dairy industry by social and environmental movements and increased concern regarding the dairy industry's sustainability. In response to these concerns, a group of scientists specializing in animal welfare, nutrient management, greenhouse gas emissions, animal science, agronomy, agricultural engineering, microbiology, and economics undertook a critical review of the US dairy industry. Although the US dairy system was identified as having significant strengths, the consensus was that the current structure of the industry lacks the resilience to adapt to changing social and environmental landscapes. We identified several factors affecting the sustainability of the US dairy industry, including climate change, rapid scientific and technological innovation, globalization, integration of societal values, and multidisciplinary research initiatives. Specific challenges include the westward migration of milk production in the United States (which is at odds with projected reductions in precipitation and associated limitations in water availability for cattle and crops), and the growing divide between industry practices and public perceptions, resulting in less public trust. Addressing these issues will require improved alignment between industry practices and societal values, based upon leadership from within the industry and sustained engagement with other interested participants, including researchers, consumers, and the general public