The worth of a wildflower: Precautionary perspectives on the environmental risk of GMOs

被引:16
作者
Aslaksen, Iulie
Myhr, Anne Ingeborg
机构
[1] Stat Norway, N-0033 Oslo, Norway
[2] Norwegian Inst Gene Ecol, N-9294 Tromso, Norway
关键词
cost-benefit analysis; environmental risk; environmental value; genetically modified organisms; precautionary principle; scientific uncertainty;
D O I
10.1016/j.ecolecon.2006.07.021
中图分类号
Q14 [生态学(生物生态学)];
学科分类号
071012 ; 0713 ;
摘要
How much is a wildflower worth? inspired by "The worth of a songbird" by Funtowicz and Ravetz [Funtowicz, S.O., Ravetz, J.R., 1994. The worth of a songbird: ecological economics as a post-normal science. Ecological Economics 10, 197-207] we use the value of a wildflower as symbol of the complexity of evaluating environmental qualities and risks. We critically discuss the application of cost-benefit analysis in evaluating environmental impacts of adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We argue that cost-benefit analysis should be supplemented with other methods, such as processes for assessing uncertainty, accommodation of scientific disagreements, and integration of stakeholders' interests and perspectives. A more inclusive perspective is to develop precautionary approaches that recognize the multidimensional nature of environmental qualities and risks, such as irreplaceability, irreversibility, uncertainty and complexity. Precautionary approaches can contribute to develop a stronger environmental responsibility within the framework of rational self-interest. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:489 / 497
页数:9
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