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Commentaries
Environmental Risks of Chemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms: A Comparison (Part II)
Part II: Sustainability and Precaution in Risk assessment and Risk management
Klaus-G. Steinhäuser
Corresponding author:: Dr. Klaus Günter Steinhäuser, Federal Environmental Agency (Umweltbundesamt - UBA), IV 2 (Stoffbewertung und Gentechnik), Postfach 330022D-14191 Berlin, Germany; e-mail: klaus-g.steinhaeuser@uba.de,
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2000.12.044 - - - 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. | | Keywords: environmental action targets; genetically modified organisms; GMOs; precautionary principle; risk assessment; risk communication; risk management; sustainability |
8 ESPR (3) 222-226 (2001)
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