Benefits of Nuclear Technology Far Outweigh the Disadvantages

Student name:  Cheng Fai Yu                 Student number:  54449921

Topic: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

  To a large extent, I disagree that the benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. In this era, the usages of nuclear technology are mainly divided in two groups, nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. I will explain the reasons that I disagree with the statement in three aspect, safety, political and environment.

  First of all, nuclear technology is not a safety technology because it is difficult to control the reactions of atomic nuclei. The atomic nuclei must state in low temperature condition. If not, the nuclear reactors will detonate. For instance, "The March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster was a failure at the power plant resulting in the meltdown of three of the six nuclear reactors. The accident was caused after the plant was hit by a tsunami caused by a powerful underwater earthquake, and it became the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl." (Barbara Tasch, May 20,2014 Time.com) Compare with others energy such as wind energy and hydroelectricity, they hadn't happen a serious accident like Fukushima Daiichi disaster. Beside, the consequences of the accident which is unexpected. For the short term, the government need to pay compensation to victim, a high transparency investigation. For the long term, the government can't rebuilt the cities in the following years. It is because the scene of the accident had radiation exposure. According to Radiation Effects Research Foundation(RERF), about 1900 excess cancer deaths can be attributed to the atomic bombs, with about 200 cases of leukemia and 1700 solid cancers. So in safety aspect, the benefits of nuclear technology is not far outweigh the disadvantages.

  Secondary, some countries use nuclear technology to make nuclear weapons, which is the most dangerous weapons on earth. Before the countries manufacture nuclear weapons, they need to fully complied with the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreement. Whatever developed or developing countries, all of them manufacture nuclear weapons to show off their countries military installations. According to Yukiya Amano(IAEA Director General, Agency's 2012report), since its inception in 1957, the Agency had worked hard to bring those benefits to all parts of the globe and to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The Agency has successfully adapted to changing times and the evolving needs of member states. It shows that nuclear technology has disadvantages so the countries need to sign the agreement and protect their right. If there is no agreement between countries, it may lead to a war. So in political aspect, the benefits of nuclear technology is not far outweigh the disadvantages.