Risk' can be defined as an estimation of the consequences of an event, multiplied by the likelihood of that event happening. More often, it is just used to mean the likelihood of something going wrong. Unlike medicines, foods are something that people expect to choose for themselves from a varied selection, weighing up quality, price and source. Assessing the risks of genetic modification Technical assessment of risk is difficult, and involves determining the likelihood of something happening, and an estimation of the problems that would be caused. Most assessments of risk involve balancing possible problems against probable, or hoped-for, benefits.
Strict regulations exist in most countries for risk assessment.
While regulations cannot guarantee against disaster, use of biotechnology for irresponsible purposes is ruled out. Some argue that the risks associated with crop biotechnology are such that its further development and use would be irresponsible and unjustified. Abandoning biotechnology research and development may deny us products or techniques that could cope with unforeseen future disasters, let alone fail to address urgent environmental and agricultural problems existing today. Following the first genetic modification experiment in 1972, many scientists were also concerned that safety hadn't been considered. In 1974, a committee of US scientists issued a ban on most genetic engineering experiments until the possible dangers had been evaluated.