What is the "precautionary principle"?

The precautionary principle is a legal or ethical principle in which a potential risk or hazard should be considered. This principle is based on the idea that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to taking measures in order to prevent harm to people, animals, and the environment. Its purpose is to protect the public and the environment from possible harms and therefore encourages the use of preventive and cautionary measures, even when scientific evidence isn't entirely conclusive yet. This principle is often related to environmental issues, but can also be applied to other areas such as food, drugs, health care, and consumer products.