Relating precaution to proportionality: how to proceed with Directive 90/220 concerning the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment

BioSafety, Volume 4, Paper 3 (BY98003) 1998 Online Journal - URL: http://www.bdt.org.br/bioline/by Relating precaution to proportianality. How to proceed with Directive 90/220 concerning the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment Rene von Schomberg Date received: 22 June 1998 Date accepted: 30 June 1998 Date published: 8 July 1998 Code Number:BY98003 Sizes of Files: Text: 24.1K Graphics: No associated graphics files ABSTRACT The European Commission has proposed the amendment of the current Directive 90/220, concerning the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment. During 1998, the European Parliament and the European Council will respond to the Commission's proposal. In the context of the Directive, public pressure from bioindustry, environmental and consumer organisations have called for a continuation of the precautionary approach as well an approach which would be proportional to the risks involved. This paper seeks a way forward towards consensual decision making on this controversial subject and evaluates the new proposal of the European Commission in the light of basic notions required for a Directive that would meet the necessary standards for both precaution and proportianality. Keywords: Precautionary principle, genetic modification, Biotechnology regulation, revision directive 90/220, deliberate release of genetically modified organisms, european commission/parliament. Copyright remains with the author. Published by Bioline Publications