Prudent precaution

Does the disappearance of many animal and plant species threaten ecosystem functioning and human health? Is the cultivation of genetically modified crops a threat to people and the environment? Are people working in the cosmetics industry at risk from nanoparticles? Can variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob’s disease be communicated in blood and blood products? Science cannot currently answer these and many other questions. However, the uncertainty that surrounds such issues does not mean that they can be relegated to the bottom of the political and policy agenda. In recent decades, there have been increasingly insistent calls for the precautionary principle to be applied in cases of scientific uncertainty, for the protection of public health and the environment. The European Union has incorporated the principle into its treaty and the environmental movement is constantly asking for the precautionary principle to be used to address potential hazards in our surroundings.

Committee

• Professor C.A.J. Vlek, professor emeritus of environmental psychology and behavioural decision research, University of Groningen, chairman (until 29-8-2007)
• Professor J.A. Knottnerus, president of the Health Council, The Hague, chairman (from 6-9-2007)
• Professor W.E. Bijker, professor of technology and society studies, Maastricht University
• Professor D.D.M. Braat, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen
• Professor G. Eggermont, visiting professor of radiation protection and nuclear waste management, Vrije Universiteit, Brussels
• Professor M.H.W. Frings-Dresen, professor of work-related disorders, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Professor L.J. Gunning-Schepers, professor of social medicine and board of directors Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, advisor (until 14-4-2006)
• Professor J.C.S. Kleinjans, professor of environmental health science, Maastricht University
• Professor E. Lebret, RIVM, Bilthoven and professor of environmental health impact assessment, IRAS, Utrecht University
• Professor P. Leroy, professor of political sciences of the environment, Radboud University, Nijmegen
• Professor E.G. Schouten, professor of epidemiology, Wageningen University
• Professor D.R.M. Timmermans, professor of risk communication and patient decision-making, EMGO Institute, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Professor S.P. Verloove-Vanhorick (until 7-9-2004), TNO Quality of Life, Leiden and professor of preventive and curative health care for children, Leiden University
• Professor E.I.L. Vos, professor of European Union Law, Maastricht University
• N.M. van Kuijeren, Health Council, The Hague, scientific secretary (until 31-12-2006)
• Professor W.F. Passchier, Health Council, The Hague and special professor of risk analysis, Maastricht University, scientific secretary (until 24-8-2007, from then on advisor)
• Doctor H.F.G. van Dijk, Health Council, The Hague, scientific secretary (from 1-1-2007)