Question

In which situation has the precautionary principle been most strictly applied? (3 points)

A local board of health closes a restaurant after health inspectors discover several mice and cockroach nests in the kitchen.


A chain of health stores is allowed to sell over-the-counter vitamins that have not been tested by the Food and Drug Administration for adverse effects.


A personal care products company recalls a particular brand of soap after several consumers develop severe rashes after using the product.


A foreign marketplace relaxes restrictions on a newly developed fertilizer after testing demonstrates that the fertilizer poses few long-term risks to the local environment.


A school board, responding to fears that antibiotics and artificial growth hormones given to dairy cows can harm children, mandates that schools serve only organic milk

Answer 1

Answer: The last option.

Explanation: The precautionary principle would be considered to be most strictly applied where the precautionary measure is most disproportionate to the given risk. In all but the last option, there are either measures taken in response to concrete problems, or the precautionary measures are actually relaxed. In the last option, though, there are merely “fears” that antibiotics and growth hormones could cause harm (no experimental evidence), but the school board still takes the strict precautionary measure of mandating that schools only serve organic milk.