Quotes About Precautionary

Multiple international bodies have specified that the absence of scientific evidence of potential damage is not sufficient justification for taking risks. As the jurist Cass Sunstein points out, the precautionary principle is costly, and when interpreted strictly it can be paralyzing.

Instead of embracing change, the E.U.'s precautionary principle has held back progress.

The fact that any Family in my Empire could so deploy its atomics as to destroy the planetary bases of fifty or more other Families causes some nervousness, true. But all of us possess precautionary plans for devastating retaliation. Guild and Landsraad contain the keys which hold this force in check. No, my concern goes to the development of humans as special weapons. Here is a virtually unlimited field which a few powers are developing.

It was an argument about the precautionary principle v. the scientist's desire not to make a mistake, coupled with risk aversion that was all too characteristic of public health bureaucrats. It was literally driving Carter nuts.

It was a precautionary measure, unlikely to be used, but the designers of the pistol perhaps had lived in more turbulent times, when even the craftworlds had raised their weapons against each other.

As I wrote in 2013, "In the medical field, when a threatening condition is detected that is not immediately causing distress, physicians often counsel 'watchful waiting'. . . . [T]he precautionary principle would weigh heavily in favor of non-intervention because once intervention is imposed, that condition can never be undone, whereas non-intervention can always be countered by intervention.

We say goodbye, and I finish the precautionary email to myself. If I'm never heard from again, someone will eventually check there. Midnight Tuesday evening. I'm going four doors down from the Edisto cottage to talk to Trent Turner about something involving Grandma Judy. Should be back in an hour or so. Leaving this message just in case. It feels dorky, but I send it anyway before slipping out the door.

She's not a prepper, though she makes preparations.

We did not evolve by precautionary living, nor by hanging back for lack or certainty.

These two misfortunes happen to armies, to become so terrified of the enemy that they are unwilling to attempt any offensive, and so bold that they are unwilling to take any precautionary measures. With regard to each the general must arrange his plans, and know when by voice and look he must make the enemy appear weak, and when more threatening and formidable.