There is a fairly universal sentiment that the use of nuclear weapons is clearly contrary to
morality and that its production probably so, does not go far enough. These activities are
not only opposed to morality but also to law if the legal objection can be added to the moral,
the argument against the use and the manufacture of these weapons will considerably be
reinforced. Now the time is ripe to evaluate the responsibility of scientists who knowingly
use their expertise for the construction of such weapons, which has deleterious effect on
mankind.
To this must be added the fact that more than 50 percent of the skilled scientific manpower in
the world is now engaged in the armaments industry. How appropriate it is that all this
valuable skill should be devoted to the manufacture of weapons of death in a world of
poverty is a question that must touch the scientific conscience.
A meeting of biologists on the Long-Term Worldwide Biological consequences of nuclear war
added frightening dimension to those forecasts. Its report suggested that the long
biological effects resulting from climatic changes may at least be as serious as the immediate
ones. Sub-freezing temperatures, low light levels, and high doses of ionizing and ultraviolet
radiation extending for many months after a large-scale nuclear war could destroy the
biological support system of civilization, at least in the Northern Hemisphere.
Productivity in natural and agricultural ecosystems could be severely restricted for a year or
more. Post war survivors would face starvation as well as freezing
conditions in the dark and be exposed to near lethal doses of radiation. If, as now seems
possible, the Southern Hemisphere were affected also, global disruption of the biosphere
could ensue. In any event, there would be severe consequences, even in the areas not
affected directly, because of the inter- dependence of the world economy. In either case
the extinction of a large fraction of the earth's animals, plants and microorganism seems
possible. The population size of Homo sapiens conceivably could be reduced to prehistoric
levels or below, and extinction of the human species itself cannot be excluded.
According to the passage, the argument on use and manufacture of nuclear weapons

• Does not stand the test of legality

• Possesses legal strength although it does not have moral standing

• Is acceptable only on moral grounds

• Is acceptable only on moral grounds