Technocratic precautionary principle: Korean risk governance of genetically modified organisms |
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Authors: | Eun-Sung Kim |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Sociology, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Koreaeskim711@gmail.comeskim711@khu.ac.kr |
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Abstract: | Regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Korea fluctuate between technocracy and the precautionary principle (PP). Technocratic PP denotes the coexistence, or coproduction, of technocracy with PP – a complex ensemble of technocratic, precautionary policies, and hybrids of the two. This paper analyzes four types of PP-based policies linked to Korean GMO regulations: foresight and monitoring of risk; reverse burden of proof; public participation; and the public's right to know. Korean GMO regulations are consistent with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, a type of PP, but lack long-term risk assessment as well as public participation. Technocracy is embedded both in advance informed agreements as a reverse burden of proof and in proof-based GMO labeling as a right-to-know policy. Technocratic PP results in inconsistencies between PP and technocratic epistemology and the gap between PP-based institutions and technocratic practices. Technocratic PP is therefore a typical phenomenon that occurs in the “glocalization” of risk regulation. |
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Keywords: | genetically modified organisms precautionary principle technocracy |
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