NCFCA Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Quality of Life (AFF)

Resolved: In the context of innovation, the proactionary principle ought to be valued above the precautionary principle.

Airplanes are a wonder of innovation.  They allow us to travel from point A to point B quickly and efficiently.  But imagine if the Wright brothers, when they were innovating, had to prove that airplanes would not cause harm.  That is an impossible standard because it is untrue: terrorists used planes to kill thousands on September 11^th, 2001.  Aerial bombers and fighters have killed countless in wars past.  These heinous acts that were done through airplanes doesn’t belittle the wonder and usefulness of the innovation, and we shouldn’t hold the innovator to the burden of proving no harm may come.  Rather, resolved: in the context of innovation, the proactionary principle ought to be valued above the precautionary principle.