Impacto del Principio Precautorio en la Alimentación de las Generaciones Actuales y Futuras
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62300/86130576Palabras clave:
Principio Precautorio, Gestión de Riesgos, Seguridad Alimentaria, Innovación Agrícola, Organismos Genéticamente Modificados (OGM), Irradiación de Alimentos, Pesticidas, Política Regulatoria, Biotecnología, Comercio GlobalResumen
El principio precautorio (PP) ha surgido como uno de los conceptos más influyentes y controvertidos en las políticas ambientales y alimentarias durante las últimas dos décadas. Concebido para promover una gestión prudente del riesgo bajo incertidumbre científica, su aplicación ha sido frecuentemente ambigua, arbitraria y sesgada contra la innovación. Este documento revisa la evolución histórica del PP, sus interpretaciones en distintas jurisdicciones y sus implicancias para las tecnologías agrícolas. A través de estudios de caso sobre pesticidas, alimentos modificados genéticamente y la irradiación de alimentos, los autores demuestran que medidas precautorias estrictas o mal definidas pueden frenar el progreso tecnológico, reducir la seguridad alimentaria y agravar el hambre global. Si bien la precaución es esencial en la gestión de riesgos, el PP en su forma actual no ofrece un marco coherente y racional para la toma de decisiones. Los autores proponen un enfoque equilibrado—“ni muy poco, ni demasiado”—para garantizar la seguridad sin sofocar la innovación necesaria para alimentar a una población mundial proyectada de 9.100 millones para 2050. El mejor legado del PP debería ser fomentar una precaución deliberada y basada en evidencia, en lugar de imponer barreras rígidas que comprometan la salud, el comercio y la sostenibilidad.
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