ABSTRACT

Uncertain Risks Regulated compares various models of risk regulation in order to understand how these systems shape the relationship between law and science, and how they attempt to overcome public distrust in science-based decision-making. The book contributes to the ongoing debate relating to uncertainty and risks  - and the difficulties faced by the European Union in particular - in regulating theses issues, taking account of both national and international constraints.  

The term 'uncertain risk' is comparable with notions of hazard and indeterminate risk, as deployed within the social sciences; but it also  aims to capture the modern regulatory reality that a non-quantifiable hazard must still be addressed by society, law and its regulators. Decisions must be taken in the face of uncertainty. And, whilst it is not possible to provide clear cut models of risk regulation, in focusing on regulatory practices at a national, EU and international level, the  contributors to this volume aim  to use fact finding as a core instrument of learning for risk regulation. 

chapter 1|18 pages

The scientification of politics and the politicisation of science

ByMICHELLE EVERSON, ELLEN VOS

part |2 pages

Part I Regulating uncertain risks

part |2 pages

PART II National systems on food and biotechnology Section 1: Case studies on food regulation

chapter 3|20 pages

Uncertainties in regulating food safety in France

ByOLIVIER BORRAZ, JULIEN BESANÇON

chapter 4|18 pages

The origins of regulatory uncertainty in the UK food safety regime

ByHENRY ROTHSTEIN

chapter 6|16 pages

Food safety in Poland: standards, procedures and institutions

ByALEKSANDER SURDEJ AND KAROLINA Z˙UREK

part |2 pages

Section 2: Case studies on biotechnology regulation

part |2 pages

Part III EU and international models

chapter 14|26 pages

The EU regulatory system for GMOs

ByGREGORY C. SHAFFER, MARK A. POLLACK

part |2 pages

Part IV Improving the legitimacy and credibility of risk regulation: science, procedures, participation and deliberation

chapter 17|12 pages

Three intimate tales of law and science: hope, despair and transcendence

ByMICHELLE EVERSON

chapter 18|30 pages

Science, knowledge and uncertainty in EU risk regulation

ByMARJOLEIN B.A. VAN ASSELT, ELLEN VOS AND BRAM ROOIJACKERS

chapter 19|10 pages

The role of scientific experts in risk regulation of foods

ByHARRY A. KUIPER

chapter 21|12 pages

Sound science in the European and global market: Karl Polanyi in Geneva

ByCHRISTIAN JOERGES