Subscribe now

AS the nuclear arms race escalated in the early 1950s, the US launched Atoms
for Peace, a drive to promote the good things the atom might do. Whatever you
think of nuclear power, it’s hard to deny that nuclear physics and radioisotopes
for medicine and research have been good things.

Recent alarm about biological weapons may now give us a similar opportunity.
We could call it germs for peace. Bioweapons have yet to produce a Hiroshima, or
even a small atrocity (that we know of). But some demented people have tried
them, and more are likely to. So countries…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop