Both of these things are tests of our ability to be conscientious, honest, and to take the power we have seriously and act accordingly. They're tests of maturity and responsibility -- at a civilization level.

So far on the nuclear front we've failed that test. Fukushima had its backup generators in the basement -- in a tsunami zone. There is no global nuclear emergency response team. There is no long-term waste solution in many countries including the USA. Managers of plants routinely slack off on safety, reporting, etc.

We are quite simply too irresponsible and immature for such toys... yet. Humanity has a little bit of growing up to do.

I don't think GMOs are an exact comparison, as I think the risk is much smaller there (at least with most GMO technologies). But it's the same class of thing-- a technology that demands maturity and responsibility. I'd extend that to biotech in general.