Biotechnology Quote by David Suzuki
“How do commercial interests usually protect themselves from liability claims? Through insurance. In fact, in our society, the litmus test for safety is insurance. You can be insured for almost anything if you pay enough for the premium, but if the insurance industry isn't willing to bet its money on the safety of [biotechnology], it means the risks are simply too high or too uncertain for them to take the gamble.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on environmental risk, 2015
Commercial entities use insurance to shift financial risk of liability, signaling safety only when insurers deem risk acceptable.
In simple terms: Insurance shows when risk is acceptable.
Key Takeaway
Assess risk before relying on insurance.
Themes
risk management
liability
insurance
technology
public policy
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advisory
critical
When to use this quote
- product development
- investment decisions
- public health policy
- corporate strategy
Key Concepts
risk assessment
financial hedging
regulatory oversight
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we evaluate risks that insurers deem uninsurable?
- What alternatives exist when insurance is unavailable?
A Different Perspective
Insurance may not cover unknown long‑term impacts, leaving gaps in protection.
