SEATTLE/ Conservative Monitor -- Indur Goklany is one of the nation's foremost authorities on risk assessment. His book, "The Precautionary Principle" applies risk assessment to three major environmental issues, DDT, Genetic Engineering and Global Warming.

This slender volume is possibly the best exposition on any one of these issues that has been published to date. The information is presented concisely, clearly and readably. Mr. Goklany begins by explaining the precautionary principle, (whatever we do, "First, we should do no harm"). Mr. Goklany shows that a more balanced approach to risk assessment makes more sense. He uses a series of priority-ranked criteria for each issue to determine whether a course of action to remedy a problem should be implemented.

All this could be rather dry and excessively academic, but Mr. Goklany has a way of presenting facts that makes them accessible as well as useful for the average reader. His initial case study involves the use of DDT. Which many believe is pretty much a dead issue. DDT has been banned by most developed countries. He points out that DDT use is not dead by any means in developing countries where it is found to be the only reasonably priced chemical that may be used to fight the threat of malaria.

In the developed world, we think of Malaria as a disease of the past. Yet today millions in Africa are affected by it every year. Although DDT has proven detrimental effects to some aspects of the environment, it can be shown that the beneficial effects of its limited use, in certain areas of the world far outweighs the problems it causes. Goklany goes to show that limited application within homes and buildings could save untold numbers of lives, while minimizing impact on the environment.

DDT is only the least controversial issue that Mr. Goklany deals with in "The Precautionary Principle". His assessments of Genetically Modified Crops and Global Warming are potentially explosive in their political implications. Yet he approaches them with common sense and an air of calm that brings rationality to the arguments. Using basic principles of risk assessment he reveals the most intelligent, cost-effective ways to handle each situation.

This book is vital to the debate on the environment, and should be thoroughly read by any one interested in that debate. Not only is it filled with facts affecting each issue, it provides a logical framework for dealing with them. This is a book that should be put into the hands of every policy maker before they make a decision on any issue affecting the environment. Buy one for yourself and send another to your congressman (or woman).