There is some risk in all new human endeavor. On the other hand, it only takes a few jackpots to more than make up for the oopsies.
Generally speaking, that has indeed been true throughout human history. Progress has so often been tragically delayed because of people who wanted to retain political power, either by keeping people in ignorance, or preventing any economic changes that might threaten stability, and so on.
But human power has been steadily increasing as technology has advanced. Thus, the discovery of atomic power made it possible for war to be more destructive than ever. With the "ozone hole", we had our first indication that pollution was becoming something global, rather than local.
Conditions change. That technology could soon be at a level where an "oopsie" might mean a microorganism that turns every human being on the planet into jelly is not inherently impossible. Of course, the trouble is, even if that is true, government breathing down the necks of private industry will do nothing about the more serious threat... the weapons labs of North Korea and the like.
But because technology does bring about profound changes in conditions, I'm mistrustful of putting ideology over pragmatism, since what was reasonable in one situation may not be properly fitted or adapted to a new situation.