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The
Side of Caution Attorney Carolyn Raffensperger, Dr. Ted Schettler, and Mary O'Brien, Ph.D., laid out the precautionary principle: When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In other words, the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, bears the burden of proof. This means that corporations, government entities, organizations, communities, scientists and other individuals must adopt a precautionary approach to all human endeavors. Raffensperger, Schettler, and O'Brien were all part of the Wingspread meeting in Racine, Wisc., in Jan. 1998 which articulated the precautionary principle. More details are available at www.sehn.org In the Eugene meeting last weekend, the speakers described international treaties and governmental entities, mostly in other countries, already observing the precautionary principle. For instance, Germany's concern about acid rain prompted that country to take a precautionary stance. The Los Angeles Unified School District has adopted the precautionary principle, Raffensperger said, and breast cancer groups in San Francisco are pushing a city resolution on the principle. Schettler talked about the criticism that this principle is anti-science. He denies that view, stating instead that the precautionary principle "shines lights on science." -- Anita Johnson Back to Environmental Law Conference Index
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