About Nuclear Weapons - Free Essay Example

Warfare has been around since the beginning of time, sadly it is a part of human nature. There are many types of warfare, one being traditional warfare, where huge armies opposed each other using swords, shields, and many other weapons. Warfare has changed through the ages though, along with technology, therefore, presenting another type of warfare, this one bringing all kinds of new dangers. This new warfare has brought humanitys most destructive weapons yet, nuclear weapons. There are a few main points that are discussed about such as, a nuclear war is likely to happen, the pros and cons of nuclear weapons, and, the radioactive fallout following nuclear weapons. The possibility of a nuclear war is actually, believe it or not, quite high. One reason for this being so, is presented by ElBaradei Mohamed, He said Nine countries have nuclear weapons and it is estimated that 35-40 have the knowledge to acquire them. (ElBaradei) The fact that 30-40 countries have the knowledge to get nuclear weapons is a big factor in the possibility of a nuclear war.chances are, one or more countries already have nuclear weapons secretly, hidden from the knowledge of other countries, yet, ready for use if needed. The reason many countries dont have nuclear weapons is due to the cost of them Elbaradei Mohamed said The US spent $5.8 trillion on nuclear weapons. (ElBaradei) This goes to show much nuclear weapons actually cost. Therefore the countries that have a main focus of war are the countries that have nuclear weapons. Most countries simply dont want to pay for them. Nuclear weapons can prove to have a few pros and a few cons. First off, the Pros, nuclear weapons provide the foundation of other technologies, such as nuclear power plants. Another pro is they stop major conflicts beginning, Crystal Lombardo said The presence of these weapons and their immense destructive capabilities is a major deterrent for starting a major conflict. (Lombardo) Nuclear weapons can stop a war due to the two leaders in a conflict realizing that they probably wouldnt survive if a war was started. Some cons of nuclear weapons are not safe do to having extra radioactive waste after creating a weapon. The waste from the weapons could also possibly leak and give people radiation poisoning. Another con is that nuclear weapons create a lot of fear Crystal Lombardo said A terrorist group with a nuclear weapon could cause immense and immediate damage that could change the path of an entire society. This goes to show that nuclear weapons given to the wrong people could create lots of problems. A radioactive fallout is a very serious co nsequence of a nuclear war. Most people fear the nuclear bomb itself, and figure if they survive the explosion they will be fine. That is completely wrong. The truth is, most people would actually die after the nuclear bomb rather than dying during the explosion. That is due to the radioactive fallout, the aftermath of a nuclear war. Henry Shrimp said: Radioactive fallout poses health dangers, particularly in the form of cancer, to humans in the form of radiation. When radioactive chemicals break down they release a certain amount of radiation. When humans are exposed to this radiation there is a risk that it causes chemical changes in cells which can kill or makes cells abnormal. In damaging the DNA contained in cells, radiation can cause cancer and can also lead to birth defects in children due to the tampering with a persons genetic makeup. (Shrimp) This goes to show how dangerous a radioactive fallout can prove to be. Nuclear weapons are extremely controversial and no one really knows how far reaching the consequences might be if actually used. Hopefully no one will ever find out how far reading the consequences are. The advancement of technology is a good thing most of the time, but, sometimes it can produce things that arent so good suc h as nuclear weapons. Yet, sometimes even those have a good side and provide new ideas that are good. Hopefully there will never be a nuclear war. There are a few main points that were discussed about, they were, a nuclear war is likely to happen, the pros and cons of nuclear weapons, and, the radioactive fallout following nuclear weapons. Works Cited ElBaradei, Mohamed. Nuclear Weapons-The Facts New Internationalist, The New Internationalist, 2 Jun. 2008, Accessed 15 Nov. 2018. (ElBaradei) Lombardo, Crystal. 16 pros and cons of nuclear weapons. Vittana, 15 Nov. 2013, Accessed 15 Nov. 2018. (Lombardo) Shrimp, Henry. Effects to the Human Body From Radioactive Fallout. Stanford University, 23 Apr. 2017, Accessed 15 nov. 2018. (Shrimp)