Risk and Risk Assessment

Overview

Many of the decisions we make about science and technology issues involve an assessment of the risk involved. These ideas should help students interpret statements about risk more critically.

An understanding of probability is at the core of risk issues. Students will also need reminding that it is impossible to make anything absolutely risk free.

a It is very important that students learn to distinguish between relative and absolute risk. Risk statements in the media do not always do this clearly enough. They will also need to be able to use calculation to translate between different ways of expressing risk. These ideas will be practiced in 9.2 health risks and 9.3 medical ethics in relation to drug trials. They are also important in 10.5 sources and effects of radiation.

b, c Students will need to be able to recall the well recognised set of factors that can influence acceptance of specific risks. These include the dread factor, a very unlikely but devastating risk, may be less acceptable than a more probable risk. This is relevant to 10.2 in relation to nuclear power and 10.5 radiation risks.

d, e Good risk assessment is essential to the management of risks. However for new technologies risk assessment is always uncertain. This is particularly relevant to 9.6 genetic engineering. In addition risks may affect different groups in the society differently. These ideas overlap closely with the ideas about science in decisions about science and technology. They are important in 9.3 medical ethics, 10.3 air quality and 10.5 sources and effects of radiation.