In this paper we present two distinctly epistemological puzzles that arise for one who aspires to defend the precautionary principle. The first puzzle involves an application of contextualism in epistemology; and the second puzzle concerns the task of defending a plausible version of the precautionary principle that would not be invalidated by the de minimis principle.

Nanomaterials and the Precautionary Principle doi:10.1289/ehp.1103687 Kessler (2011) provided a valuable update on the current state of research and regulatory pol­ icy concerning nano materials. However, the article could give the mis leading impression that the precautionary principle constitutes a straightforward guideline for improving public policy in this area. Instead, the precautionary ...

Scholars in philosophy, law, economics, and other fields have widely debated how science, environmental precaution, and economic interests should be balanced in urgent contemporary problems such as climate change. One controversial focus of these discussions is the precautionary principle, according to which scientific uncertainty should not be a reason for delay in the face of serious threats ...

The Precautionary Principle is introduced and shown to be applicable to several kinds of biotechnology, such as the agricultural production of biofuels and the release of genetically modified varieties of food-species and of medicinal species into the environment. This Principle has been accused of involving policies of Maximin. However, the crucial difference between these stances is clarified...

The Precautionary Principle: When an activity raises threat of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures must be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. The proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof. The process of applying the precautionary principle must be open, informed and demo...

The precautionary principle is a guide to public policy decision making (Raffensperger and Tickner 1999, Schettler et al. 2002). It responds to the realization that humans often cause serious and widespread harm to people, wildlife, and the general environment. According to the precautionary principle, precautionary action should be undertaken when there are credible threats of harm, despite re...

Scientific research is of proven value to protecting public health and the environment from current and future problems. We explore the extent to which the Precautionary Principle is a threat to this role for science and technology. Not surprisingly for a relatively simple yet still incompletely defined concept, supporters of the Precautionary Principle come from different viewpoints, including...