Fw: 's #741: Science and Precaution

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----- Original Message ----- From: News Sent: Friday, January 04, 2002 5:17 PM RACHEL-NEWS@... Subject: 's #741: Science and Precaution If you find the newsletter useful or interesting,please forward it to a friend suggesting that they starttheir own free E-mail subscription.To stop receiving the newsletter, send E-mail tolistserv@... with two words in the body of themessage (not in the subject line): UNSUB RACHEL-NEWS=======================Electronic Edition==================. .. RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH NEWS #741 .. ---January 3, 2002--- .. HEADLINES: .. SCIENCE AND PRECAUTION .. ========== .. Environmental Research Foundation .. P.O. Box 5036, polis, MD 21403 .. Fax (410) 263-8944; E-mail: erf@... .. ========== .. All back issues are available by E-mail: send E-mail to .. info@... with the single word HELP in the message. .. Back issues are also available from http://www.rachel.org. .. To start your own free subscription, send E-mail to .. listserv@... with the words .. SUBSCRIBE RACHEL-NEWS YOUR FULL NAME in the message. .. The newsletter is now also available in Spanish; .. to learn how to subscribe in Spanish, send the word .. AYUDA in an E-mail message to info@.... .=====================================================Review of 2001--Part 2SCIENCE AND PRECAUTION[During 2001, the "precautionary principle" to guideenvironmental decision-making became widely-recognized as animportant alternative to business as usual: The NEW YORK TIMESwrote positively about precautionary action,[1] the environmentalcommunity (worldwide) embraced the principle enthusiastically,and corporations -- which had begun to attack the principlecrudely in 2000[2] -- launched a more sophisticated attack in2001.[3]In late 2001, 77 scientists and teachers from 16 countries issuedthe Lowell Statement on Science and Precaution.[4] The meetingthat produced this statement now has its own web site:http://www.uml.edu/centers/lcsp/precaution/. Here is the text ofthe Lowell Statement:]Lowell Statement on Science and the Precautionary Principle,December 17, 2001; Statement from the International Summit onScience and the Precautionary Principle; Hosted by the LowellCenter for Sustainable Production, University of MassachusettsLowell 20-22 September 2002.Growing awareness of the potentially vast scale of human impactson planetary health has led to a recognition of the need tochange the ways in which environmental protection decisions aremade, and the ways that scientific knowledge informs thosedecisions. As scientists and other professionals committed toimproving global health, we therefore call for the recognition ofthe precautionary principle as a key component of environmentaland health policy decision-making, particularly when complex anduncertain threats must be addressed.We reaffirm the 1998 Wingspread Statement on the PrecautionaryPrinciple [see REHN #586] and believe that effectiveimplementation of this principle requires the following elements:** Upholding the basic right of each individual (and futuregenerations) to a healthy, life-sustaining environment as calledfor in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights;** Action on early warnings, when there is credible evidence thatharm is occurring or likely to occur, even if the exact natureand magnitude of the harm are not fully understood;** Identification, evaluation and implementation of the safestfeasible approaches to meeting social needs;** Placing responsibility on originators of potentially dangerousactivities to thoroughly study and minimize risks, and toevaluate and choose the safest alternatives to meet a particularneed, with independent review; and** Application of transparent and inclusive decision-makingprocesses that increase the participation of all stakeholders andcommunities, particularly those potentially affected by a policychoice.We believe that effective application of the precautionaryprinciple requires interdisciplinary scientific research, as wellas explicitness about the uncertainties involved in this researchand its findings.Precautionary decision-making is consistent with "sound science"because of the large areas of uncertainty and even ignorance thatpersist in our understanding of complex biological systems, inthe interconnectedness of organisms, and in the potential forinteractive and cumulative impacts of multiple hazards. Becauseof these uncertainties, science will sometimes be incapable ofproviding clear and certain answers to important questions aboutpotential environmental hazards. In these instances, policydecisions must be made on the basis of sound judgment, opendiscussion, and other public values, in addition to whateverscientific information is available. We believe that waiting forincontrovertible scientific evidence of harm before preventiveaction is taken can increase the risk of costly mistakes that cancause serious and irreversible harm not only to ecosystem andhuman health and well-being, but also to the economy.Some of the ways that scientific information is currently appliedin formulating policy can work against the ability to takeprecautionary action, for example by misrepresenting limitationsin the state of scientific knowledge. Decision-makers frequentlylook for high levels of proof of causal links between atechnology and a risk before acting, so that their decisions willbe protected from accusations of being arbitrary. But often, highlevels of proof cannot be achieved, and are not likely to beforthcoming in the foreseeable future. A more complete and openpresentation from scientists on the current limitations inunderstanding of environmental risks will encourage theacceptance on the part of government decision-makers and thepublic of the idea that precautionary action is a prudent andeffective strategy when potential risks are large anduncertainties are large as well.It is not only the communication between scientists and policymakers, however, which needs improvement. We believe that thereare ways in which the current methods of scientific inquiry mayalso retard precautionary action. For example, researchfrequently focuses on narrow, quantifiable aspects of problems,thus inadvertently excluding from consideration potentialinteractions among different components of the complex biologicsystems of which humans are a part. The compartmentalization ofscientific knowledge further impedes the ability of science todetect and investigate early warnings and develop options forpreventing harm when far-reaching health and environmental risksare involved. Unfortunately, limitations in scientific tools andin the ability to quantify causal relationships are oftenmisinterpreted by government decision-makers, scientists, andproponents of hazardous activities as evidence of safety.However, not knowing whether an action is harmful is not the samething as knowing that it is safe.We contend that effective implementation of the precautionaryprinciple demands improved scientific methods, and a newinterface between science and policy that stresses the continuousupdating of knowledge as well as improved communication of risk,certainty, and uncertainty. With these objectives in mind, wecall for a re-evaluation of scientific research agendas, fundingpriorities, science education, and science policy. The ultimategoals of this effort would include:** A more effective linkage between research on hazards andexpanded research on primary prevention, safer technologicaloptions, and restoration;** Increased use of interdisciplinary approaches to science andpolicy, including better integration of qualitative andquantitative data;** Innovative research methods for analyzing the cumulative andinteractive effects of various hazards to which ecosystems andpeople are exposed; for examining impacts on populations andsystems; and for analyzing the impacts of hazards on vulnerablesub-populations and disproportionately affected communities;** Systems for continuous monitoring and surveillance to avoidunintended consequences of actions, and to identify earlywarnings of risks; and** More comprehensive techniques for analyzing and communicatingpotential hazards and uncertainties (what is known, not known,and can be known).We understand that human activities cannot be risk-free. However,we contend that society has not realized the full potential ofscience and policy to prevent damage to ecosystems and healthwhile ensuring progress towards a healthier and economicallysustainable future. The goal of precaution is to prevent harm,not to prevent progress. We believe that applying precautionarypolicies can foster innovation in better materials, saferproducts, and alternative production processes.We urge governments to adopt the precautionary principle inenvironmental and health decision-making under uncertainty whenthere are potential risks, as well as to take timely preventiveand restorative actions in cases where damage has beendemonstrated. The elements of decision-making processesincorporating the precautionary principle, as outlined above,represent necessary aspects of sound, rational processes forpreventing negative impacts of human activities on human andecosystem health. This approach shares the core values andpreventive traditions of medicine and public health.==========[1] Pollan, "Precautionary Principle," NEW YORK TIMESMAGAZINE Dec. 9, 2001, pgs. 92, 94.[2] Wirthlin Worldwide, "The Precautionary Principle: ThrowingScience Out with the Bath Water," WORTHLIN WORLDWIDE ISSUESPERSPECTIVE February, 2000. pgs. 1-8; available at http://-209.204.197.52/publicns/report/PPFINAL.PDF.[3] Indur M. Goklany, THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE; A CRITICALAPPRAISAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT (Washington, D.C.:Cato Institute, 2001). ISBN 1-930865-16-3.[4] Almendares Bonilla, MD, MS, Professor of the MedicalSchool of Honduras, Honduras; Molly , PhD, MS, Directorof the Tufts University GIS Center, Tufts University, USA; Ashford, PhD, JD, Professor of Technology & Policy,Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA; Barrett,PhD, Research Associate of Environmental Law and Policy,University of , Canada; Kamaljit Bawa, PhD, MS,Distinguished Professor of Biology, University of MassachusettsBoston, USA; Pushpa Bhargava, PhD, Founding Director, Centre forCellular and Molecular Biology, India; Finn Bro-Rasmussen, PhD,MSc, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science and Ecology,Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Denmark; Brown, ScD, PublicHealth Toxicologist, Northeast States for Coordinated Air UseManagement, USA; Brown, JD, MA, Director; PennsylvaniaConsortium for Interdisciplinary Environmental Policy, USA; PhilBrown, PhD, Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies,Brown University, USA; Clapp, DSc, Associate Professor ofPublic Health, Boston University School of Public Health, USA;Terry , PhD, Professor of Chemistry, Carnegie MellonUniversity, USA; Barry Commoner, PhD, Director of the Center forthe Biology of Natural Systems, Queens College, USA; Cortese, ScD, President, Second Nature, USA; Carl Cranor, PhD,MSL, Professor of Philosophy, University of California Riverside,USA; Crumbley, MS, Program Director, Lowell Center forSustainable Production, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA;Dianne Dumanoski, MA, Author, USA; Epstein, MD, MPH,Associate Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment,Harvard Medical School, USA; Estabrook, PhD, Worker HealthEducator, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; Faber,PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology, Director of thePhilanthropy and Environmental Justice Research Project,Northeastern University, USA; n Flum, MS, Project Directorof the Environmental Justice Minority Worker Training Program,University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; Ken Geiser, PhD,Director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute, University ofMassachusetts Lowell, USA; Gilbertson, PhD, Biologist,Canada; Guillette, PhD, Visiting Scholar, Tulane andXavier Universities, USA; Marissa de Guzman, Research Assistant,University of the Philippines, Diliman, Philippines;- Harmon, PhD, Toxics Campaign Scientist,Greenpeace, USA; May Hermanus, MSc, Chief Inspector of Mines,Department of Minerals and Energy, Mines Health and SafetyInspectorate, South Africa; Holcroft, ScD,Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of MassachusettsLowell, USA; Polly Hoppin, ScD, Public Health Scientist, USA; Huff, PhD, Toxicologist, National Institute ofEnvironmental Health Sciences, USA; Carel Ijsselmuiden, MD,Director of the School of Health Systems and Public Health,University of Pretoria; South Africa; Sheila Jasanoff, PhD, JD,Professor of Science and Public Policy, Harvard University, USA;Matthias Kaiser, DPhil, Director, National Committee for ResearchEthics in Science and Technology, Norway; Tom , PhD,Director of the Office of Sustainability Programs, University ofNew Hampshire, USA; Lee Ketelsen, New England Director, CleanWater Fund, USA; Misa Kishi, MD, DrPH, Senior EnvironmentalSpecialist, JSI Research and Training Institute, USA; Kriebel, ScD, Co-Director of the Lowell Center for SustainableProduction, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; Lemons,PhD, MS, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science,University of New England, USA; Levins, PhD, Professor ofPopulation Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, USA; Loechler, PhD, Professor of Biology, Director of the Program inBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boston University, USA; MacDougall, PhD, Professor of Regional Economic and SocialDevelopment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; MarcoMartuzzi, PhD, Epidemiologist, WHO European Centre forEnvironment and Health, Italy; Mass, PhD, MPH,Co-Director of the Center for Industrial Competitiveness,University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; Arlene McCormack, PhD,Professor of Regional Economic and Social Projects Director ofthe Science and Environmental Health Network, USA; Ozonoff,MD, MPH, Professor Environmental Health, Boston University, USA;Romeo Quijano, MD, MS, Associate Professor at the College ofMedicine, University of Philippines Manila, Philippines; MargaretQuinn, ScD, Professor of Work Environment, University ofMassachusetts Lowell, USA; Carolyn Raffensperger, JD, MA,Executive Director, Science and Environmental Health Network,USA; Riechmann, PhD, Research Coordinator, InstitutoSindical de Trabajo, Ambiente y Salud, Spain; Robbins,MD, Professor, Department of Family and Community Health, TuftsUniversity School of Medicine, USA; Per nder, Chemical PolicyAdvisor, Kemi & Miljo AB, Sweden; Ruthann Rudel, MS, SeniorEnvironmental Toxicologist, Silent Spring Institute, USA; Hanson, Aquatic Ecotoxicologist, Roskilde University, Denmark;Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, Science Director for the Science andEnvironmental Health Network, USA; Reinmar Seidler, Biologist,University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA; Vandana Shiva, PhD,Director and Founder, Research Foundation for Science,Technology, and Ecology, India; Caroly Shumway, PhD, PrincipalInvestigator for Aquatic Biodiversity, New England Aquarium, USA; Siqueira, MD, ScD, MPH, Research AssistantProfessor of Work Environment, University of MassachusettsLowell, USA; Craig Slatin, ScD, MPH, Assistant Professor,University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; Sonnenschein, MD,Professor of Cellular Biology, Tufts University School ofMedicine, USA; Colin Soskolne, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology,University of Alberta, Canada; Ana Soto, MD, Professor of CellBiology, Tufts University, USA; Doreen Stabinsky, PhD, ScienceAdvisor, Genetic Engineering Campaign, Greenpeace; USA; AndyStirling, Dphil, MA, Senior Lecturer and Senior Fellow, SciencePolicy Research Unit; Sussex University, UK; Cato tenHallers-Tjabbes, PhD, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research,Netherlands; Boyce Thorne-, MSc, Consultant, USA; JoeThornton, PhD, Research Scientist, Columbia University, USA; Tickner, ScD, Research Assistant Professor of Work Environment,University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; Valeiro, PhD,Agronomic Engineer, National Institute for AgriculturalTechnology, Argentina; Vales, PhD, Senior Researcher,Institute of Ecology and Systematics, Cuba; Reginald Victor, PhD,Director of the Centre for Environmental Studies and Research,Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman; Wagner, JD,MA, Professor, University of Texas School of Law, USA; , National Health and Safety Director, Canadian AutoWorkers, Canada; Tom Webster, DSc, Assistant Professor ofEnvironmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health,USA; Wegman, MD, MSc, Professor of Work Environment,University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; Wooding, PhD,Professor of Regional Economic and Social Development, Universityof Massachusetts Lowell, USA.################################################################ NOTICEIn accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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