The precautionary principle has often been invoked to justify a ban on genetically modified (GM) crops. However, this justification is based upon a selective application of the principle to the potential public health and environmental benefits of such a ban, while ignoring a ban's potential...

The precautionary principle (PP) has sometimes been invoked to justify a ban on GM crops. This justification, however, takes credit for reducing potential public health and environmental risks that might result from a ban but ignores any blame for risks that the ban might generate or prolong....