In this paper I analyse the role that the precautionary principle plays in ensuring legitimacy in the EU authorisation … regime for GMOs by using the ‘governance' perspective as analytical frame. The idea of legitimacy, as embodied in this … principle, requires creating a balance between scientific and political legitimacy in the decision-making of authorisation. The …

principle, precaution requires EU regulators to strike a balance between scientific and political legitimacy when taking … the extremes of either purely science-based decision-making or a highly politicised precautionary rhetoric. I suggest that …