1 THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE AND THE SOCIAL STANDARD Odin K. Knudsen 1 and Pasquale L. Scandizzo 2 Abstract Scientific progress offers tremendous potential benefits to society but also presents risks. While research focuses on how to manifest the benefits of any new technology, the outside community fears the consequences that technology may inadvertently have on social goods such as the environment, public health and security. To balance the benefits of the progress of science against the risks associated with its application is one of the major public policy challenges of the 21st century. One approach to handling public risks from scientific uncertainty is through the application of the precautionary principle. In the strongest form of this principle, technology should not be advanced until the risks are fully known and mitigated. This “do-no-harm” approach places the burden of proof on the implementation of the technology. A weaker version of the principle proposes that the risks need to be accessed and evaluated against the benefits before progressing on the technology, but that preventive action should not be delayed by a motivation based on uncertainty. While the stronger version of the precautionary principle has been vigorously supported by many environmental movements, critics argue that its application would stifle technological change. Although the second principle has more support among policymakers, its critics argue that it does not go far 1 The World Bank 2 The University of Rome, “Tor Vergata” Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized 62489