title: Proliferation dangers associated with nuclear medicine: getting weapons-grade uranium out of radiopharmaceutical production.
abstract: Abolishing the threat of nuclear war requires the outlawing of nuclear weapons and dismantling current nuclear weapon stockpiles, but also depends on eliminating access to fissile material (nuclear weapon fuel). The near-universal use of weapons-grade, highly enriched uranium (HEU) to produce radiopharmaceuticals is a significant proliferation hazard. Health professionals have a strategic opportunity and obligation to progress the elimination of medically-related commerce in HEU, closing one of the most vulnerable pathways to the much-feared 'terrorist bomb'.
authors.affiliation: International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and Medical Association for Prevention of War, Australia.
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Tilman A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ruff
mesh_terms: D032781:Codes of Ethics; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D028681:Moral Obligations; D009683:Nuclear Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000941:ethics*; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D009689:Nuclear Warfare / Q000941:ethics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054043:Nuclear Weapons / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011640:Public Policy; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011876:Radionuclide Generators; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012941:Social Responsibility; D023481:Terrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D017974:Uranium Compounds / Q000600:supply & distribution
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017974:Uranium Compounds