Event-tree and evolving worms This week I read in the newspaper that some rootworms are evolving to resist genetically modified corn developed to kill them. The crop itself is not to blame, say scientists, but rather mismanagement by farmers, corporations and lawmakers. …but the scientists’ own recommendations — an advisory panel convened in 2002 by the EPA suggested that a full 50 percent of each corn farmer’s fields be devoted to these non-Bt refuges — were resisted by seed companies and…
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Lac Megantic, biases, incomplete consequences, and regulations Lac Megantic, Canada, railroad derailment tragedy reportedly brought direct destruction and casualties on a radius of 200-400m when a number of hydrocarbon tank cars exploded. Once again media and public opinion realized later on that the immense suffering endured by the community extends it’s shadow far away from the point and time of the tragedy with far reaching indirect consequences (exclusions zone, logistic, loss of market share, bankruptcies, increase of jobless, depression, environmental,…
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We can see a day when a case will be challenged in court against a company that used Probability Impact Graphs (PIGs risk matrix) for their risk assessment. The questions that could be asked will be horribly embarrassing and very damaging to the PIGs risk matrix’s user. Likely, they will tend to prove that the approach constituted a professional negligence. Perhaps due to the breach of Duty of Care. Indeed Arbitrary selections in Risk Management are a liability. A preliminary list…
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