Few developments in risk management have created as much controversy as the Precautionary Principle (PP), which generally prescribes caution when managing environmental risks in the face of scientific uncertainty. The PP is, by the Treaty on European Union, the keystone of European environmental policy, and has been invoked in European decisions about regulation of exposure to electromagnetic fields, and entry of genetically modified crops and beef from hormone-fed cattle into European markets. However, the PP lacks clear definition, and its different statements in various international treaties have greatly different implications. This talk will describe the PP as it has been used in the European Community, and some of the problems and controversies that have arisen about it. A recent commentary by the European Union offers much-needed guidance how to apply the PP in protecting against environmental and human health risks.

BIOGRAPHY

Kenneth R. Foster is Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Since receipt of the Ph.D. in 1971, Dr. Foster has been engaged in studies on the interaction of nonionizing radiation and biological systems, including studies on mechanisms of interaction and biomedical applications of radiofrequency and microwave energy. In addition he has written widely about issues related to technological risk, and medical technology. Dr. Foster serves on a number of committees related to possible health and safety effects of electromagnetic fields, and is a consultant to the World Health Organization and other governmental agencies and industry on these issues. He has published approximately 90 technical papers in peer reviewed journals, numerous other articles, and is the author of two books related to technological risk. His latest book, Judging Science, was published by MIT Press in April 1997, and just released in a Chinese edition. He is former president of the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology and a member of the editorial board and frequent contributor to IEEE Spectrum.

For information, contact either:
Ms. Brenda Walker at (973)596-3513 or at brenda.e.walker@njit.edu, or Dr. Andrew U. Meyer at meyer@njit.edu

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