Governmental factors in establishment of risk assessment procedures in the United States

Those political and governmental factors that affect the establishment of risk assessment policies will be identified in terms of their overall impact upon regulatory behavior. Within this description, relevant accounts will be given of actual legislative and political initiatives and actions put forth by concerned industrial, environmental and governmental groups during recent consideration by the U.S. Congress of proposals to establish a central science panel. These accounts will illuminate some of the critical events and deficiencies in industry, science and governmental decision-makers experience in establishing comprehensive, sound risk assessment policies. Lastly, a modestly optimistic scenario is presented in which impending public health issues posed by advances in biotechnology and other developments may give rise to politically acceptable and improved risk assessment and risk management functions.