The precautionary principle – the idea that a lack of firm evidence should not stop us from introducing regulations – has been an important idea in government in recent decades, particularly in the EU. Has this emphasis on caution been beneficial or has it caused more harm than good?
Filmed at the Battle of Ideas Festival, the speakers in this engaging debate are: Professor Bill Durodié – Chair International Relations Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies University of Bath. Professor Sunetra Gupta – Professor Theoretical Epidemiology Department of Zoology University of Oxford and Novelist Dr Caspar Hewett – Lecturer, Programme Director EuroAqae+ School of Engineering Newcastle University and Director of the Great Debate The Chair is Max Sanderson – Editor Weekly Podcasts Guardian