Dark Horses

Dark Horses” and is considered elsewhere in this issue [see p. 186]—is an acknowledged master of technical-scientific issues in nuclear discussion and also of invective against the anti-nuclear Luddites. True to this reputation, the present study is both a primer on nuclear basics and a powerful argument in favor of developing nuclear energy in general and fast breeder reactors in particular.

Among the major points affirmed by Beckmann is the fact that the low-grade (3 per cent enriched) uranium used in peaceful nuclear reactors cannot be used for nuclear explosives (which employ uranium 90 per cent enriched). Hence the oft-cited notion of a nuclear blow-up at such a plant is an impossibility. He also torpedoes the idea that plutonium is the “most toxic substance known to man” (it isn’t) or that it lends itself to use by terrorists (it doesn’t). The main thing plutonium is good for, he says, is to provide an adequate supply of energy for a thousand years—which is why the antinuclear Luddites oppose it.

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Dark Horses” and is considered elsewhere in this issue [see p. 186]—is an acknowledged master of technical-scientific issues in nuclear discussion and also of invective against the anti-nuclear Luddites. True to this reputation, the present study is both a primer on nuclear basics and a powerful argument in favor of developing nuclear energy in general and fast breeder reactors in particular.

Among the major points affirmed by Beckmann is the fact that the low-grade (3 per cent enriched) uranium used in peaceful nuclear reactors cannot be used for nuclear explosives (which employ uranium 90 per cent enriched). Hence the oft-cited notion of a nuclear blow-up at such a plant is an impossibility. He also torpedoes the idea that plutonium is the “most toxic substance known to man” (it isn’t) or that it lends itself to use by terrorists (it doesn’t). The main thing plutonium is good for, he says, is to provide an adequate supply of energy for a thousand years—which is why the antinuclear Luddites oppose it.