Risks, uncertainty and vulnerability: transgenics and challenges for science and governability

Abstract

This article discusses some dilemmas and challenges for science and the contemporary societies in analyzing and facing technological risks that can be considered complex and uncertain. The conceptual references for this article come from the discussions on uncertainties and vulnerabilities. Complex and uncertain risks are those that, par excellence, raise the application of the precautionary principle. Such risks are propitiating extensive social and political debates in modern societies. However the theme of the uncertainties and vulnerabilities, central for the debate, is rarely explicit in the scientific argumentation. The article present some definitions related to the risks, their uncertainties and complexities, as well as the limits of classical preventive paradigm and the emergence of the precaucionary principle. Afterwards the case of GMO´s for agriculture is presented as a typical example of complex and uncertain risk. Finally the article pleads the development of a science for sustainability which incorporates the precautionary principle, as well as the defense of life and participative democracy as strategic elements. Keywords: environmental riskes; uncerteainties; vulnerability; precautionary principle; trangenics.