Citation

Cruden WV. Br. Med. J. BMJ 1950; 1(4653): 610-611.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1950, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.2307/25375417

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The H bomb is now in process of construction, and Professor Einstein warns us that "annihilation of any life on earth has been brought within the range of technical possibilities." Until recently weapons of war were designed for the purpose of destroying military targets and killing combatants. Now, however, we have a new and outrageous situation. The new bomb has been described by American physicists as "no longer a weapon of war but a means of extermination of whole populations." Should this greatest threat to human life evoke no reaction from the medical profession? Is it not our duty to do what we can to prevent disaster from overtaking the human race? Doctors all over the world unite against the menace of bacteria. Surely they should unite against the menace of this "super pathogen."

I suggest that the leaders of the medical profession issue a solemn manifesto condemning the use of atomic weapons and, in the name of humanity, urging their abolition. They should press their colleagues in America and Russia to do likewise....