Facts to guide thinking about life-threatening risks
The author argues that modern science, medicine, and improving prosperity have brought many benefits to our society, but not without costs. One significant concern is that they are imposing novel and perhaps greater life-threatening risks to individuals with some of the resulting technological innovations and activities. In decision problems involving life-threatening risks, it is difficult to distinguish alternatives that on balance are worth the effort in reducing risks from alternatives that are not worth the price that must be paid. The author attempts to clarify some of the inherent complexity in these public and private risk decision problems. He presents a number of facts to guide constructive thinking about decisions involving life-threatening risks. The intent in stating these facts is to reduce the likelihood that they are forgotten or pushed aside in analyzing or appraising alternatives for specific risk problems. The author concludes with a few specific suggestions that should facilitate a careful appraisal of the alternatives in any specific risk problem.
