We believe there is compelling evidence that damage to humans and the worldwide environment is of such magnitude and seriousness that new principles for conducting human activities are necessary. While we realize that human activities may involve hazards, people must proceed more carefully than has been the case in recent history. Corporations, government entities, organizations, communities, scientists and other individuals must adopt a precautionary approach to all human endeavors. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof. The process of applying the Precautionary Principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially affected parties.
People have a duty to take anticipatory action to prevent harm.
The burden of proof of harmlessness of a new technology, process, activity, or chemical lies with the proponents, not with the general public. The precautionary principle is not really new. Participants at the Wingspread meeting came from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Britain, and Sweden. From my perspective as a conservative Republican, this is a conservative principle. Participants noted that current policies such as risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis give the benefit of the doubt to new products and technologies, which may later prove harmful.