[Medicine seized by the principle of precaution]

The principle of precaution first appeared about ten years ago as a new type of action and responsibility in the environmental domain. It prescribes taking immediate action to avoid serious environmental consequences, rather than waiting for scientifically established proof of the danger. Some lawyers are now recommending that this approach be extended to the medical field. By recommending decisive action based on a purely hypothetical risk it goes well beyond classic preventive measures, which are introduced only after identification and proof risk. This new approach is presented as an added safety precaution. Radical application of this concept could, however, lead to an irrational approach to health security and constitute an obstacle to technical progress. Although the legal world has already adopted this new concept it is important that the medical world contribute to evaluating this new standard.