With the application of the tools of molecular biology, it is possible to rapidly develop specialized organisms tailored for particular uses. To date, these organisms have been developed for use in agriculture, pollution control and waste management. They have been released to the environment in agricultural situations. Agricultural releases have become commonplace. For agricultural products and products intended for field release, environmental concerns require primary consideration, although human health issues are also involved.
Products used for industrial purposes raise worker safety and health issues.
Releases vary in purpose, and this affects the scale and overall experimental design. The first field test of an engineered organism was for a bacterium which would protect plants against frost. Requirement for risk assessment for large scale, commercial use of transgenic organisms are less well defined. USDA Section 1668 of the 1990 Farm Bill required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a competitive grants program in biotechnology risk assessment research to provide a better scientific basis for regulatory decision making. Approximately ten proposals are funded each year.