Precautionary

Principle -
Definition
The precautionary principle, a
phrase coined circa 1988, is the
ethical principle that if the
consequences of an action,
especially the use of technology,
are unknown but are judged by
some scientists to have a high risk
of being negative from an ethical
point of view, then it is better not to
carry out the action rather than risk
the uncertain, but possibly very
negative, consequences.
It is similar to one version of the
Hippocratic oath, First of all, do no
harm, or, Better do nothing than
cause harm.