Food Safety and Ethics: The Interplay between Science and Values |
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Authors: | Karsten Klint Jensen Peter Sandøe |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment, Department of Education, Philosophy and Rhetoric, University of Copenhagen, Njalsgade 80, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark, E-mail;(2) Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment, Department of Animal Science and Animal Health, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Groennegaardsvej 8, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark, E-mail |
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Abstract: | The general public in Europe seems tohave lost its confidence in food safety. Theremedy for this, as proposed by the Commissionof the EU, is a scientific rearmament. Thequestion, however, is whether more science willbe able to overturn the public distrust.Present experience seems to suggest thecontrary, because there is widespread distrustin the science-based governmental controlsystems. The answer to this problem is thecreation of an independent scientificFood Authority. However, we argue thatindependent scientific advice alone is unlikelyto re-establish public confidence. It is muchmore important to make the scientific advicetransparent, i.e., to state explicitlythe factual and normative premises on which itis based. Risk assessments are based on arather narrow, but well-defined notion of risk.However, the public is concerned with a broadervalue context that comprises both benefits andrisks. Transparency and understanding of thepublic's perception of food risks is anecessary first step in establishing theurgently required public dialogue about thecomplex value questions involved in foodproduction. |
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Keywords: | risk assessment risk management risk communication scientific advice value judgments |
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