Is the precautionary principle a principle?

The article considers whether the precautionary principle is a principle. Truth in labeling is not the only motive behind asking this question. There is a tradition of principle-based decision making in the public health professions. Principles of ethics matter to epidemiologists and others who study disease causation in populations and recommend, even advocate for, disease prevention and health promotion interventions. Public health professionals have been trained to reflect upon such decisions in terms of the principles of beneficence, respect for persons, and justice alongside considerations of scientific uncertainty, criteria of evidence, practicability, cultural acceptability, and cost. The prominence of the so-called precautionary principle in the global conversation on environmental and public health, and controversy about its scope also make this an important inquiry.