An open systems approach to risk assessment

The development of risk assessment in occupational and environmental cancer control is outlined, with emphasis on the differing assumptions of Doll and Selikoff. These differences are explained by philosophic perspectives from which closed and open system approaches to assessment were respectively chosen. Open system, with negative entropy and progressive organization, are characteristic of living systems and, heuristically, should be characteristic of risk assessment models. The abuse of either approach occurs when the "habit of truth" is overcome by consciously contrived confusion, a betrayal of society by les clercs.