> These are examples of the "precautionary principle" in action.

My views on the PP are essentially:

> Arguably, there is no fundamental difference between using the precautionary principle to abolish clinical trials, mobile phones or genetically modified food. In all three examples, there is scientific uncertainty about possible long-term effects on public or environmental health. In my opinion, this shows that the precautionary principle is incoherent, and the example of clinical trials is possibly the best illustration of why. 

> There is no doubt that a clinical trial might be dangerous and that precautionary measures should be taken to avoid unnecessary risks; however, the precautionary principle makes a much stronger claim about decision-making. It tells us to replace traditional cost–benefit analyses with a more imprecise reasoning that focuses on possible negative effects. The precautionary principle therefore replaces the balancing of risks and benefits with what might best be described as pure pessimism.

> This criticism is admittedly rather blunt. My argument is based on the observation that nearly all formulations of the precautionary principle in the literature tend to be vague. In fact, there is no single formulation that everyone can agree on, because every scholar and organization cherishes its own version.  Furthermore, the enormous and ever-expanding literature on the principle also indicates that no generally accepted formulation will ever emerge.

Comment:

Basically, the PP uses worst case scenarios in the decision making process, and obviously anyone can imagine an infinite number of worst case scenarios to any action, including getting up in the morning, or going to sleep at night for that matter. But potential responses such as staying in bed and/or not ever sleeping, neither address the problems nor offer any viable solutions. We submit to sleep in order to be rested in order to deal with the absolute uncertainty of reality.

PLB

source: Peterson, M. (2007). The precautionary principle should not be used as a basis for decision‐making.

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