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Accepting risk
Our willingness to accept a risk is based on more than just scientific risk assessment results. For instance, experts may say there is a low risk associated with a certain food. If we have no choice in the matter, don't trust the information source, feel it is unfair because it only affects us, or the hazard is artificial, we may disregard that expert advice. We don't accept the risk. For example, people often insist that an artificial substance, such as a pesticide, is a greater hazard than a natural substance, such as food borne bacteria despite scientific evidence indicating otherwise. We have the right to decide whether or not to accept a risk, but should be aware of the major factors which affect those decisions.
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