It is attempted to indicate the development of safety standards concerning biotechnology. This development is in a state of flux, and the finding that the risks in handling r‐DNA organisms are not larger than those arising when handling the known pathogens is becoming more accepted. Accordingly, these r‐DNA organisms can also be classified into the know risk groups I ‐ IV and handled under the corresponding safety conditions according to this classification: In the laboratory under the laboratory safety measures L 1 ‐ L 4 described in the “ZKBS‐guidelines”; and on a plant scale under the plant safety measures described in the OECD report. It is also attempted to illustrate the state of the discussion on deliberate release of r‐DNA organims.