Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Japan's 'sacrificial' elderly nuclear cleanup squad ..Reaction

" Japan's
totally awesome old people " is what The Week magazine had described a
group of  over-60 retired Japanese engineers and other professionals in an
article published in June 3rd, 2011 titled "Japan's Sacrificial' Elderly
Nuclear Cleanup Squad". As the article mentioned, after the calamity that
hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility in the east cost of Japan , a cleanup
campaign is on motion at the time . Though, this is necessary to be
done, it will unfortunately be a long dreadful life jeopardizing efforts ,
due to the fact that two and more workers in their 30s and 40s who were among
those assigned to the cleaning process were reportedly exposed to potentially
deadly amounts of radiation at the site of the destroyed nuclear power facility.
Therefore, the mentioned group of altruistic elders jumped in to save
the day in order to achieve a couple of things, the first is to save the Youngers'
future which still lie ahead of them. Also, to prove that a retire
person can be helpful to the community even after he was let go based on
the thought that he can’t do the job anymore . Eventually, their
approach was denied by the Japanese government. The article here, call
their case to the public questioning the lawmakers decision and debate whether
they should be allowed to do that or not.

The subject was displayed in an emotional way that approaches any
reader, but that still does not dismiss the sensitivity and morality of
the situation, which will be clear by answering the question on what If
those people are over 60 , does that justify letting them  sacrifice themselves.

I am really confused about this as many of the readers of this article , On
one hand , those brave elders do have a point on why they are doing this , and
they should be given the freedom to help in the way  they see is right and rewarding .But on the
other hand , it’s not ethical or human to approve such a suicidal attempt with
cold blood , though it is for a higher purpose .

1 comment:

  1. This is really an intricate issues as you said. But something must be done. If were you in the position of the government, in which ways would you solve the problem?

    ReplyDelete