#919 -- Two Decision Rules Compete, August 09, 2007

RACHEL'S DEMOCRACY & HEALTH NEWS #919 -- Two Decision Rules Compete "Environment, health, jobs and justice -- Who gets to decide?"

Thursday, August 9, 2007

View the HTML edition here:

http://www.precaution.org/lib/07/ht070809.htm

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Featured stories in this issue...

Two Rules for Decisions: Trust in Economic Growth vs. Precaution

Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, we have assumed that economic activity tends to create a net benefit for society as a whole, even if some people are harmed and the environment is degraded. But now there is evidence that the entire planet and all its inhabitants are imperiled by the total size of the human enterprise. As a result, the precautionary principle has arisen as an alternative way to balance our priorities. Two overarching decision rules are competing for supremacy-- "trust in economic growth" vs. "precaution." Europe is edging toward precaution. The U.S. is, so far, sticking with "trust in economic growth."

Stage of a Child's Growth Determines Harm from Toxic Exposures

Here we have new evidence that the timing of a toxic exposure can be as important as the magnitude of the exposure. This finding is undermining the traditional mantra of toxicology, "The dose makes the poison." Evidently, it is the dose and the timing of exposure that makes the poison.

Scientists Study Health Risks of Plastic Ingredient

Scientists are concerned about the health risks of an ingredient in many of the plastic containers used for food and drinks. Bisphenol A -- or BPA -- is a common chemical used to make tough, shatter- resistant plastic. Now there is a growing concern among scientists about the health risks of BPA, especially for children.

Looking Deep, Deep into Your Genes

Discoveries about the impact of the environment on our genes could revolutionize our concept of illness.

Global Warming Will Step Up After 2009: Scientists

A new study in Science magazine predicts that global warming will accelerate after 2009.

Trees of Limited Value vs. Warming

A decade-long study finds that planting trees is not a real solution to the problem of global warming. (Still, there are many good reasons to plant trees.)

Extreme Weather: A Global Problem

One of the predicted consequences of global warming is greater extremes of weather -- more droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and so on. The prediction seems to be coming true.

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