Rethinking Risk and the Precautionary Principle

This book challenges the claim that the precautionary principle is an appropriate guide to public policy decision-making in the face of uncertainty.

The precautionary principle is frequently invoked as a justification for regulating human activities. From bans on the use of growth hormones in cattle to restricitons on children's playground activities, precautionary thinking seems to be taking over our lives. As the contributors of this book show, such an approach is of dubious utility and may even be counterproductive.

Composed of chapters from a range of authors including Aaron Wildavsky, Tony Gilland, Helene Guldberg and Robert Matthews.