Skip to main content
Log in

The Harm Principle and Genetically Modified Food

  • Published:
Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is suggested that the Harm Principle can be viewedas the moral basis on which genetically modified (GM) food iscurrently regulated. It is then argued (a) that the concept ofharm cannot be specified in such a manner as to render the HarmPrinciple a plausible political principle, so this principlecannot be used to justify existing regulation; and (b) that evenif the Harm Principle were a plausible political principle, itcould not be used alone in the regulation of GM food, since itdoes not express a concern for the expected benefits of suchfood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Carr, S., “Ethical and Value-Based Aspects of the Precautionary Principle,” in P. Robinson (ed.), EurSafe 2000 Preprints, 2nd Congress of the European Society for Agricultural and Food Ethics (Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment, Copenhagen, 2000), pp. 101–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, S. and L. Levidow, “Exploring the Links Between Science, Risk, Uncertainty, and the Ethics in Regulatory Controversies about Genetically Modified Crops,” Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 12 (2000), 29–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • CEC (Commission of the European Communities), Communication from the Commission on the Precautionary Principle, COM, Vol. 1 (CEC, Brussels, 2000).

    Google Scholar 

  • Feinberg, J., Harm to Others (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1984).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, H. L. A., Law, Liberty and Morality (Stanford University Press, Stanford, 1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtug, N., “The Harm Principle” (2000), work in progress.

  • Mill, J. S., in M. Warnock (ed.), Utilitarianism and on Liberty (Fontana Library Edition, London, 1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Raz, J., The Morality of Freedom (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1986).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandoe, P., K. H. Madsen, and J. Lassen, “Praktisk haandtering af etiske kriterier. Hvordan kan forbrugernes krav inddrages i godkendelsesprocedurer,” in Teknologiraadet, Gensplejsede foedevarer, Teknologiraadets rapporter 2000/3.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Holtug, N. The Harm Principle and Genetically Modified Food. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 14, 168–178 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011392526611

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011392526611

Navigation