A RiskWorld news article by guest author Wayne Roth-Nelson, e-mail roth_nelson@compuserve.com.
January 28, 1997 -- A group of scientists and lawyers interested in the interface between risk assessment and laws, regulations, and courtroom proceedings have organized the Risk Science and Law Specialty Group of the Society for Risk Analysis. The group’s goal is to "provide leadership in collaborative scientific and legal research and in identifying and illuminating issues that arise from risk-related legislative acts, regulatory rules, and judicial proceedings," according to its preliminary draft mission statement.
One of the group’s first projects was to organize sessions on risk, science, and law at the Society for Risk Analysis’ annual meeting in December. Session topics included "Congress, the Courts, and Agency Risk Assessments," "Regulatory Innovations in Risk Assessment," "Law, Policy, and Risk Assessment," and "Risk Assessment and Toxic Injury Litigation." The group currently is preparing a digest of these sessions that will be available to the public.
Seventeen members attended the group’s first business meeting held at the SRA annual meeting to discuss its goals and future activities. Activities under consideration include the following:
* Michael Gerrard proposed publishing a newsletter to report on court decisions that apply to risk science. Both lawyers and scientists could monitor risk assessment methodologies and arguments adopted or disputed in the courts. Book reviews and annotated bibliographic references also might be provided.
* John Applegate suggested setting up a resource center for legislative and regulatory initiatives that mandate the use of risk assessment or prescribe particular methodology. Balanced analyses of their strengths and weaknesses from different points of view might be provided.
* Several members recommended establishing an Internet site and e-mail communications to link group members and to foster communication with external groups.
* Members also proposed participating in a Society for Risk Analysis forum on communicating scientific information to juries that is scheduled in April in Washington, D.C., and selecting a theme for expert panels and individual presentations at the 1997 SRA Annual Meeting schedule in December in Washington, D.C.
The group, which is actively seeking new members, has attracted a number of dual professionals such as scientists who work for law firms and attorneys whose work involves environmental, health, and safety risk assessment principles. Members are being recruited outside of the Society for Risk Analysis as well as within the Society.
For more information about the SRA Risk Science and Law Specialty Group, please contact one of the Interim Executive Committee members listed below or visit its web site at http://www.riskworld.com/risksciencelaw :
Science and policy consulting community
Wayne Roth-Nelson, founder and interim chair of Risk Science
& Law Specialty Group
Roth-Nelson Risk Science in Lafayette, Colorado
Telephone (303) 494-9694; fax (303) 494-3785; e-mail
105401.1354@compuserve.com
Academic legal community
Susan Poulter
University of Utah College of Law in Salt Lake City
Telephone (801) 581-6545; fax (801) 581-6897; e-mail susan.poulter@law.utah.edu
John Applegate
University of Cincinnati College of Law in Ohio
Telephone (513) 556-0114; fax (513) 556-3499; e-mail
john.applegate@taft.law.uc.edu
Private-practice legal community
Michael Gerrard
Law firm of Arnold & Porter in New York City
Telephone (212) 715-1190; fax (212) 715-1399; e-mail
gerrami@aporter.com
Science and policy research community
Bernard Goldstein
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute in
Piscataway, New Jersey
Telephone (908) 445-0205; fax (908) 445-0131; e-mail
bgold@eohsi.rutgers.edu
Paul Locke, interim secretary-treasurer of Risk Science &
Law Specialty Group
Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C.
Telephone (202) 939-3842; fax (202) 328-5002; e-mail
elipal@aol.com
Trade organization community
Kathleen Kunzer
Chemical Manufacturers Association in Arlington, Virginia
Telephone (703) 741-5711; fax (703) 741-6092; e-mail
kathleen_kunzer@mail.cmahq.com
Biosketch of Wayne Roth-Nelson, founder of the Risk Science and Law Specialty Group of the Society for Risk Analysis
"What Risk Analysts Should Know About Judicial Review," a RiskWorld news article on one of the Risk Science and Law Specialty Group’s sessions at the 1996 annual meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis.
Biosketch of Kathleen Kunzer, member of the Risk Science and Law Specialty Group’s Interim Executive Committee
To receive a copy of the following, please contact group founder Wayne Roth-Nelson.
* Draft Synopsis: Scope of Judicial Decisions Surrounding Risk Assessment Issues: Part One: Appeals to Lower Court Decisions on Toxic Tort Lawsuits; and Part Two: Judicial Review of Government Agency Risk Regulations.
* Digest of the SRA Risk Science and Law Specialty Group’s panel and paper presentations at the 1996 SRA Annual Meeting in December.
* Membership roster of the SRA Risk Science and Law Specialty Group.
Story posted January 28, 1997.
Copyright © 1997 by Tec-Com Inc.