2.3 Risky biotechnology

Question 1

What is a ‘risk society’?

Answer 1

a society increasingly preoccupied with the future (and also with safety), which generates the notion of risk

Question 2

What is the ‘precautionary principle’?

Answer 2

an approach to risk management states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public, or to the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus (that the action or policy is not harmful), the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those taking an action that may or may not be a risk.

Question 3

why might we have previously adopted a risk society approach and created unforeseen consequences? (1)

Answer 3

The benefits were too profound (to miss out on)

Question 4

why might we have previously adopted a risk society approach and created unforeseen consequences? (2)

Answer 4

Economic cost is sometimes invisible, compared to environment

Question 5

why might we have previously adopted a risk society approach and created unforeseen consequences? (3)

Answer 5

Multiplier / demultiplier magnify impacts

Question 6

why might we have previously adopted a risk society approach and created unforeseen consequences? (4)

Answer 6

Short-term unemployment can = LT skills

Question 7

How could crops be used to help regenerate soil quality?

Answer 7

Targeted breeding could be used where traditional and GM crops are bred to improve drought tolerance, nitrogen efficiency, pest resistance and photosynthesis rates

Question 8

How could farming be made more sustainable?

Answer 8

Techniques such as composting, agroforestry and inter-planting with legumes have been shown to improve degraded soils, increase yields and reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertiliser

Question 9

how would irrigation help more agricultural growth

Answer 9

could increase yields as 80% of cropland is currently not irrigated. Water saving techniques such as soil moisture monitoring and drip immigration.