General Electric's Nuclear Radiation - Research Paper Example

'General Electric's Nuclear Radiation' Abstract Every particular discipline has its code of ethics of operation including the General Electric's Nuclear Radiation. Over the past time, there were some codes of ethics that governed the operation of the nuclear reactor industry. It is because their application was necessary for enhancing the safety issues especially when handling the cases related to the electric, nuclear reactors A lot of evolutions, today, exist in the new technologies. Such instances lead to the loss of focus in the handling of matters related to the ethics in the field. For instance, the coming of the advanced technologies has led to the increased level of handling of the electric, nuclear radiations. In relation to this development of the events, the paper will principally focus on the analysis of these ethics in the electric, nuclear radiation industry. Finally, the paper will present its conclusion in relation to the findings from the study. Introduction There is a lot of concern growing today on the ethical issues in the electric and nuclear radiation. Similarly, it also includes the nuclear weapons, the nuclear power, and the larger nuclear fuel cycle space (Hale, 2011). Currently, there is today the emerging ethical issue such as the amount of wastes, health, and the entire environment that surrounds the production of the material. The effect of nuclear reactors is so wide that even reaches the areas where indigenous and the poor people in the society live (Katz, 2006). One possible effect is the injustice that people and even their future generation suffer as a result of radiations. The presence of the negative evidence that concerns with the nuclear industry has its concerns with world's issues such as politics, the science, and even the economics. In addition, it also includes the leaders who support the development of the nuclear industry such as Sir Mark Oliphant (Wang, (2013). Just in the same way as any other discipline, ethics in the general electric, nuclear radiation industry defines the good and the bad that comes as it is used by human beings. The notion of ethics in reference to this industry, however, should not be confused with the ethics that has to do with classifying good or evil. This is because even the most respected lot in society, may also find themselves indulging in the evil, even with their knowledge that such acts would lead to the cause of the evil things (Greening, 2014). Today issues of ethics are just but another faction in the discussions that relate to it. Similarly, the persons who are against the electric, nuclear radiations industry will still apply the knowledge of economics in presenting their arguments. For example, the issue of high financial costs is essential for the running of this industry. However, it may seem out of fashion to hold discussions on what is a wrong or right or good or evil action (McEwan, 2012). In contrast, those who are for the development of this industry always give their views in relation to the values. Such values do come with the use of the materials and their components (Tabi, Roeser, & van de Poel, 2012). Some of the values they touch on here may include the provision of large quantities of energy and the enhancement of the development of the economy of the region. Other cases are also the provision of weaponry useful in fighting the resilient enemies during war times. Additionally, other values noted by the proponents on the electric, nuclear radiations are the possibility of making the sophisticated nuclear weapons. Some instances also entail the nuclear powers that according to these proponents are still ethical (Gruppetta, 2009). Despite the highlighted issues discussed so far, the burning issue that still hangs on people’s minds is whether the use of the electric, nuclear radiations is ethical. The Ethical Situation Currently Faced By the 'General Electric's Nuclear Radiation Price of the Nuclear Weapons As it stands, a lot of costs are required in the development of nuclear plants. Such cost entails the cost of modernization and even the testing of the functionality of the operation of the plant as a whole. Such high cost required for the initialization and the running of the plants is for sure not morally or ethically untenable (Nishimura, 2014). Also, human life should be the top most priority during the handling of these implements. There should also be an environment that promotes peace, sustainability and the entire development. Similarly, it should also not forget the growth of humanity on the planet and also the value of the life of other creatures (Tabi, Roeser, & van de Poel, 2012). Consequently, the development of the electric, nuclear radiations industry should not come to be a threat to the survival of species on the earth. It is, for this reason, that such developments should be ethical with the objective of enhancing the goodwill of life during its applications. In general terms, the development of the nuclear radiations should not jeopardize the security of the human beings and other biological creatures living around its environ (Price, 2007). The Lies of the Nuclear Lobby Most activist groups were for the notion that the development of the nuclear radiators as a whole would promote the entire goodwill. It may be that this notion is true, but the question that awaits an answer is whether such a development falls within the line of ethics (Wang, 2013). Currently, there are lies that go around presenting nuclear power as the solution to global warming. Such lies also rule out the connection of nuclear energy with nuclear weapons (Barack Obama on nuclear weapons, 2013). However, the propaganda is merely a myth since the nuclear fuel cycle is the major component of the greenhouse gasses. In addition, even the laying of many nuclear plants to the reduce greenhouse gas effect would take a long time to achieve. At the same long duration of time to experience changes in the climate of a given locality. In relation to these facts, it is right to justify that history of all the nuclear weapons all came from nuclear reactors (Wang, 2013). Radioactive Wastes The ethics that deal with radioactive wastes from the General Electric’s nuclear reactors may seem mind-boggling. For instance, the nuclear proponents sometimes do assume the issue. At some occasions, they base their belief with the hope of getting its solution at some time in the future (Tabi, Roeser, & van de Poel, 2012). A lot of confusions, still exist in the categories of the high level” and “low level” radioactive wastes. Similarly, the category tends to place the low levels ones as those types with very minimal or no problems at all (Brumfiel, 2010). Sometimes it is also interesting to note the discussion trends on the nuclear reactor, nuclear weapons, and the wastes. Similarly, there are the cases of neglect of the voluminous of uranium radioactive tailing wastes. The reasons for ignoring the uranium cases could stem from the fact that the mining of the uranium does take place in the rural or the remote areas that also have indigenous populations (Brumfiel, 2010). When viewed in ethical contexts, the poor have no place in the society at all. An analysis of the strategic placement nuclear wastes reveals that it is unethically left for future generations to deal with. Many world leaders choose to ignore the problem of toxic wastes and show no concern for the possible solution that may lead to the management of these wastes. Injustice For a long time, the nuclear industry should always be ready to apologize on its impacts on the uranium miners, the uranium communities, and the Pacific Islanders. Others are the communities near atomic tests, soldiers attending atomic bomb tests. Recently, there are some governments that offer some appreciation in terms of the compensation to the victims. However, the victims still have some ignorance from the said governments. For instance, some of these governments use the delaying tactics. In this case, it would enable the affected victims to die finalizing their claims from the relevant authorities of the arm of the government (Barack Obama on nuclear weapons, 2013). A close analysis of the occurrence of the trend of injustices show their enjoining with the past and the present as in the cases that lead to the populations affected by the radioactive effects of depleted uranium weapons. On the other hand, the remote rural localities and the communities living in them do suffer from the effects of the air and water pollution. The instance is because such regions become part of the dumping sites for the nuclear wastes and weapons (Van de Poel, 2011). Secrecy The trend to keep hold of the secrets relating to the nuclear issues is also an ethical issue. A good example in this scenario is the waste disposal case. In this instance, there is always little information that the public get concerning the disposal of the nuclear wastes in the Mediterranean Ocean. The other supportive evidence on this issue is the case of the United States where the issue of nuclear waste disposal does not have the attention in the country. Such instance takes place despite the country having a bad reputation on the waste disposal globally (Van de Poel, 2011). Secrecy for sure has some linkages with the element of corruption at some perspectives. For instance, a country like China has some corrupt means of carrying out its waste disposal. The country engages the involvement of issuing of corrupt means of contract issuance to the guys responsible for the handling of the wastes in the country (Van de Poel, 2011). The Media In most of the occasions, the media fraternity, do give very little coverage on the issues relating to the nuclear energy and its constituent elements. For instance, in Britain, the media failed to unearth the taking of the bodies of the dead nuclear workers thereby denying the families of the workers to have the information of such kind. Contrastingly, the mainstream media only dwelt on the privacy element of the issue and also the apology done by the government to the affected families over the occurrence of the episode. However, the media ignored the primary function of the research and the findings that came from the research on the occurrence of the mining episode. For instance, the aim of the research was to evaluate the discredit claims of harm done by nuclear radiation. Further on this, with the objective of hiding the information from the public, there was the cover-up of the dead bodies. In addition, there was also the destruction of the body tissues primarily to dilute the possible evidence in relation to the occurrence of the scene (Barack Obama on nuclear weapons, 2013).. Solution to the Ethical Situation Currently Facing the 'General Electric's Nuclear Radiation.' The solution to the so far discussed issues on the ethical matters relating to the general electric, nuclear radiations is principally from the issues also pertaining to the nuclear safety and the security. Nuclear safety and security in this instance deals with the appropriate actions applied with the primary objective of avoiding nuclear and radiation accidents or limit their occurrences to some extents. Similarly, the nuclear security and safety covers the broad scope of the nuclear power plants, facilities, and their transportation. It also includes their utilization and even their storage for various uses where applicable with them (Van de Poel, 2011). At stake, there is a great improvement in the safety and the performance of the nuclear reactors from the nuclear power industries. In addition, there are also some new suggestions on the design of the nuclear plants. Such design suggestions do go in line with safety and the security of the workers or the entire users of the facilities (Van de Poel, 2011). A lot of improvements are today present in the nuclear industry with the goal of enhancing the security and the safety of the reactors based on the implementation of the new designs of the nuclear plants. However, there is no surety for the safety from the implementation of the new designs. The instance is because is because of the incidences of possible human errors and also other possible external influences from the development of such implements. For instance, the designers of the Fukushima nuclear reactor of Japan had no belief that there could be the possibility of the influence of the earthquake on the operation of the nuclear plant. Other incidences on the safety and the security of the nuclear plants are the effects of the terrorist's attacks the sabotages from the inside, plowshare actions, and even the cyber-attacks In some other occasions, there are other problems that may result due the complexities or unexpected failures due to the inbuilt structure of the nuclear plant itself. Such incomplete built structure in the plant may lead the occurrence of the accidents that otherwise may have their avoidance following the competent design features (Brumfiel, 2010). The safety of the general electric, nuclear radiations or the nuclear weapons requires the handling of the special agencies with real experience. The instance would help to avoid the occurrence of the incidents that may pose a threat to the safety and the security of the individuals. In addition, such agencies should uphold a lot of secrecy in matters pertaining to the nuclear plants and their handling in the country of the concern. Such steps would help in keeping away terrorist groups from accessing the information related to the manufacture of such commodities or weapons. Terrorist are such dangerous groups of people in the society. For instance, they can use the nuclear weapons if they manage their access to them in killing the lives of the innocent souls such as 9/11 attacks on the USA (Braut-Hegghammer, 2006). In addition, each and every nation should consider deploying the use of the below tough safety and security measures on the use of the nuclear-related materials; proper planning from the operators above the design limits more advanced measures for enhancing the protection of the nuclear reactor plants more attention from the international community and also their concerns and reviews on the same Global cooperation from different countries on the issues relating the nuclear reactions (Barack Obama on nuclear weapons, 2013). Protection of the Coastal nuclear sites against rising sea levels, storm surges, flooding, and possible eventual "nuclear site islanding." Conclusion For all long, the ethics in any field do link with the principle governance and the functionality of any ideology, such as the case of the nuclear reactors here. The incoming of new technology in the nuclear energy sector has a significant impact on the prosperity of the nuclear energy. An example, in this case, which is the general electric radiation, must incorporate the ethics as it forms the critical factor on the life and the safety of the individuals as a whole. For this reason, the paper incorporates the so far identified ethical issues. In addition, the solution presented will make the use of the nuclear energy with specific reference to the general electric and nuclear radiations. In such a way, it would be of much value to the users and the society as a whole. References Barack Obama on nuclear weapons. (2013). Physics Today. doi:10.1063/pt.4.1017 Braut-Hegghammer, M. (2006).Libya's nuclear turnaround.The RUSI Journal, 151(6), 52-55. doi:10.1080/03071840608522858 Braut-Hegghammer, M. (2006).Libya's nuclear turnaround.The RUSI Journal, 151(6), 52-55. doi:10.1080/03071840608522858 Brumfiel, G. (2010). Nuclear weapons physics: Welcome to the Atomic Weapons Establishment. Nature, 464(7286), 156-157. doi:10.1038/464156a Greening, L. (2014). Energy Policy: Publishing ethics. Energy Policy, 71, 2-3. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2014.05.028 Gruppetta, E. (2009). Ethical issues for radiographers: general observations and a pilot qualitative study. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 135(2), 88-89. doi:10.1093/rpd/ncp103 Hale, B. (2011). Fukushima Daiichi, Normal Accidents, and Moral Responsibility: Ethical Questions about Nuclear Energy. Ethics, Policy & Environment, 14(3), 263-265. doi:10.1080/21550085.2011.605850 Katz, M. (2006). How to Lobby (and How Not to Lobby) Your Dean. ADFL, 61-63. doi:10.1632/adfl.37.2.61 Kirk, J. (2008). Indian-Americans and the U.S.–India Nuclear Agreement: Consolidation of an Ethnic Lobby?.Foreign Policy Analysis, 4(3), 275-300. doi:10.1111/j.1743- 8594.2008.00070.x McEwan, I. (2012). What lies beneath: natural products from marine organisms as nuclear receptor modulators.Biochem.J., 446(1), e1-e3.doi:10.1042/bj20121018 Mistry, D. (2013).The India Lobby and the Nuclear Agreement with India.Political Science Quarterly, 128(4), 717-746. doi:10.1002/polq.12142 Nishimura, S. (2014). International knowledge transfer in a multinational enterprise: General Electric's patent system in Japan until the 1950s. Entreprises Et Histoire, 75(2), 73. doi:10.3917/eh.075.0073 Price, R. (2007). Nuclear Weapons Don't Kill People, Rogues Do. IntPolit, 44(2/3), 232-249. doi:10.1057/palgrave.ip.8800186 Steinhäusler, F. (2010).Geohazards due to technologically enhanced natural radioactive wastes.ActaGeophysica, 58(5).doi:10.2478/s11600-010-0021-x Taebi, B., Roeser, S., & van de Poel, I. (2012). The ethics of nuclear power: Social experiments, intergenerational justice, and emotions. Energy Policy, 51, 202-206. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2012.09.004 Van de Poel, I. (2011). Nuclear Energy as a Social Experiment. Ethics, Policy & Environment, 14(3), 285-290. doi:10.1080/21550085.2011.605855 Wang, Q. (2013). Nuclear safety lies in greater transparency. Nature, 494(7438), 403-403. doi:10.1038/494403a Read More