论现代环境法面临的若干新问题——以美国环境法为视角

New Issues Faced by Modern Environmental Law

人们因环境危险而产生的心理上恐惧、因有毒物质引发的染色体变异和新兴技术对人类未来产生的不确定影响三个方面的问题给现代环境法提出新的挑战。心理上恐惧被美国环境法所忽视,这缺乏相应的法理基础,也与其他相关法律领域对精神损害的处理方式不一致。对染色体变异本身是否构成损害以及是否构成损害的危险各方争论不一,还未形成一致的结论。对新兴技术的不确定性,美国环境法采取的应对措施通常是不作为。

Modem environmental law is challenged by fear resulting from toxic exposure, chromosomal damage and heightened risk from exposure to toxic substance and uncertain effects of emerging technologies. The fear resulting from toxic exposure is neglected by American environmental law without justification, which is not consistent with other areas of law. There is conclusion on whether sub cellular damage and risk of harm construct the harm. The general approach of American environmental law to uncertainty of emerging technologies is inaction.