Aspects of nuclear energy

As a result of the decision to build a nuclear waste recycling plant near Wackersdorf in the Upper Palatinate, the nuclear energy debate, which had subsided somewhat in recent years, has flared up anew, and, as ever, the camps of the opponents and supporters of nuclear energy are irreconcilably opposed. The discussion that has been going on for decades, a flood of scientific research studies and all efforts to enlighten the population in an objective and detailed way have been practically ineffectual. Nevertheless, the debate could have drawn to a conclusion long ago, as Carl-Friedrich von Weizsaecker drew up an account in a lecture on March 9th 1978 entitled ''The peaceful use of nuclear energy'' which has lost nothing of its relevance to the here-and-now and has set standards of objectivity, balanced views and awareness of responsibility which cannot be surpassed. If the argument continues even though there is nothing new to be said, then that must be due to the act that the nuclear energy debate is not so much concerned with nuclear energy itself as with fundamental norms for our actions. (orig./HP)