by Richard Curtis & Elizabeth Hogan

Thus far we have been discussing acute effects (see Part I here) of large doses of radiation taken on the whole body or on specific organs and tissues, the kind of doses likely to be received by people in the immediate and intermediate vicinity of a serious reactor accident. Suppose it could be vouchsafed that no such calamity would ever happen: Would you then be able to rest easily?

The answer is most emphatically No. As we shall see, the merely commonplace activities of the nuclear industry, the mining, milling, and processing of fuel, the day-to-day operations of nuclear electric plants, the reprocessing of fuel, and the transportation, storage, and disposal of waste fission products, are already contaminating our air and water with radioactivity. If the atomic power program is permitted to proliferate in the coming decade, the presence of these poisons in our environment will reach alarming proportions. (more…)

by Richard Curtis & Elizabeth Hogan

In order to understand the perils of radioactivity, it becomes necessary to review some of the things known about the way radioactivity kills and injures. Most readers are probably familiar with many of these facts, but are accustomed to thinking about them only in relation to nuclear war. It is imperative, however, that we be fully aware that mismanagement of the peaceful uses of atomic energy will subject humans to many of the same gruesome afflictions and agonizing deaths as those suffered by survivors of Hiroshima’s fireball.

To start, radiation damage may be inflicted in a number of ways: in large doses or small, all at once or by stages, externally or internally. Irradiation may be of the whole body, of specific organs or tissues, or of only a few cells.

A number of basics should be understood at the outset. (more…)

By Josep Orta

Five hundred years ago, a humble German friar challenged the Catholic church, sparked the Reformation, and plunged Europe into centuries of religious strife.

Some say that the beginnings of the Reformation can be traced back to a thunderstorm in 1505. After surviving the tempest, a promising law student at the University of Erfurt in Germany changed the course of his life. The young scholar’s name was Martin Luther, and the foul weather set him on a collision course with Rome and would trigger a crisis of faith in Western Christianity.

“Portrait of Martin Luther as a Young Man” by Lucas Cranach the Elder depicts the Protestant founder as a simple, sincere monk.

Luther came from a well-heeled family in the central region of Saxony. Luther was born in Eisleben in November 1483. Shortly after his birth, the family moved about 10 miles away to the town of Mansfeld. A successful businessman in copper mining and refining, his father, Hans, had young Martin educated at a local Latin school and later at schools in Magdeburg and Eisenach. In 1501, at age 19, he enrolled in the University of Erfurt to continue his studies. (more…)

(as expressed in various religious traditions)

Baha’i

“Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.” – Baha’u’llah, Gleanings

Buddhism

“Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” – Gautama Buddha, Udana-Varga 5:18

Confucianism

“Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” – Confucius, Analects 15.23

Christianity

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” – Jesus, Matthew 7:12 (more…)