Calls on Scientists
Diocesan Press Service. March 11, 1963 [VIII-9]
NEW YORK, --- The Rt. Rev. Robert Mortimer, Anglican Bishop of Exeter, has called on nuclear scientists to submit to certain limitations on their freedom to experiment, since the "utmost precautions must be taken not to endanger either this or future generations.
"The nuclear scientist," he said, "has a moral responsibility so to conduct his experiments, and so to devise, construct and run his machines, as not to endanger the whole human race, or the individuals working in or living close by his laboratories or stations. "
In a paper presented January 16 to the Conference on Radiation and Social Ethics, held at the University of Chicago, Bishop Mortimer stated that the nuclear scientist had no choice but to experiment with the atom.
"Knowledge of the structure of the atom suggested that there was here an immense source of concealed energy. The break-through came with the splitting of the atom. From that moment the use of tremendous power was in sight. The war situation led to a race in research into the technique of making the bomb, " he said.
Bishop Mortimer pointed out that research during wartime placed scientists in a difficult dilemma. "On the one hand, the evil of this huge weapon of indiscriminate destruction was apparent," he stated.
"On the other hand," he continued, "victory in the war would undoubtedly go to the side which made the bomb first. The safety of their own country may be said to have depended on their research. I should hesitate a long time before saying dogmatically that the scientists made the wrong ethical decision. "