The eradication of smallpox, reduction in polio, and protection against many childhood diseases are examples of the power of immuno-prophylaxis. However, there is so much more that can be done In agriculture, improvements have been effected so far on a gradual basis. For example, in animal husbandry, one has gone from selection and crossing, to artificial insemination, and embryo transplant technologies None of these have given rise to fears. But genetic engineering arouses fears because one moves across species boundaries. Multiplications and mutations can develop and progress rapidly in biological systems.
Risk assessment is much more difficult and uncertain, compared to physical engineering systems.
In biology, one also deals with systems interactions, such as in ecology, that are complex. It is, therefore, important to continuously monitor what is happening in the field, using the very same powerful techniques of biotechnology. Applications of advances in genetic engineering and cell biology arouse fears relating to eugenics and human cloning. It is important to recognise, that there is no place for complacency. As we move into the future, there will be increasing stress on these aspects.