Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

“It is now a quarter of a century since nuclear energy was introduced to the public. Its introduction was made in the most dramatic, but unfortunately in the most destructive way – through the use of a nuclear weapon. “Since that introduction enormous strides have been made in developing the peaceful applications of this great and versatile force. Because these strides have always been overshadowed by the focusing of public attention on the military side of the atom, the public has never fully understood or appreciated the gains and status of the peaceful atom. “This book is an attempt to correct, in some measure, this imbalance in public information and attitude. It is a compilation of remarks, and excerpts of remarks, that I have made in recent years in an effort to bring to the public the story of the remarkable benefits the peaceful atom has to offer man. This is a story that grows with the development and progress of the peaceful atom. It must be told so that we can learn to use the power of nuclear energy wisely and through this use help to build a world in which the military applications of the atom will never again be a threat to mankind.” —- Glenn T. Seaborg Contents: Introduction The Need for Nuclear Power Nuclear Power—-Status and Outlook Nuclear Fusion Nuclear Energy in Space The Atom’s Expanding Role in Medicine The Atom’s Expanding Role in Industry The Atom’s Expanding Role in Agriculture The Atom’s Expanding Role in the Humanities Swords into Plowshares Man and the Atom—-By the Year 2000