THE ULTIMATE WEAPON

By: Nielgem S. Beja

On July 16, 1945, in New Mexico, United States of America tested its first
atomic bomb. Less than three weeks later, United States of America dropped an
atomic bomb at Hiroshima, Japan. It was the start of the nuclear age.

Nuclear explosions produce both immediate and delayed destructive effects.

According to Dr. Tillman Ruff, Chairman of the International Campaign to Abolish
Nuclear Weapons (iCAN), nuclear weapons literally bring the same magnitude of
power that drives the stars into the midst of our fragile interdependent world.
Notwithstanding the various technological and medical advancements of the 21 st
century, there is no technology or institution that can cure or reverse the lasting
effects of nuclear explosion.

Notwithstanding the danger, rich countries such as America and Russia, still
invest on nuclear weapons. They believe that a nuclear armed state is less likely to
be attacked, even by another nuclear armed state. The presence of nuclear
weapons is an enormous form of defense against future usurpers and provides
greater power in case of retaliation. Nuclear weapons are even considered as low
cost insurance against large scale conflicts and massive destruction that wars may
bring. Mere nuclear bomb testing is a showcase of strength and serves as a warning
to both enemies and allies. Nuclear armed countries believe that despite the
unparallel destruction that nuclear weapons may bring, these weapons promote
peace and diplomacy. In times of disagreement, states in conflict resort to
negotiation rather than face mass destruction.

The pros are overwhelming but so as the cons. Exposure to radiation will lead
to disability and cancers, and the effect can continue for decades. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), nuclear weapons produce radiation that can
damage our DNA. The damage can injure and kill cells, be passed to the next
generation, or give rise to cancer even decades later. In fact, cancer rates have
increased among the Hiroshima and Nagasaki victims even decades after the
attack.

More than seventy years ago, we discovered that we are capable of our own
destruction. Americas atomic bomb ended their war against Japan, but it started a
worldwide nuclear race, a race that might never end. At the same time, we have
learned that in the game of nuclear war, the only winning move is not to play. We
are still unaware of what the future holds, but for now we must accept that nuclear
weapons are here to stay. Fortunately, despite the numerous opportunities, game
players have managed to keep their thumbs off the button.