Letter writer Nam Singh has quite an alarmist view of nuclear energy which is, unfortunately, the typical knee-jerk reaction of the majority of the population, until they are familiar with the fact that nuclear energy has done more good for mankind than harm.

It is the controlled use of nuclear energy that has made everyday contributions to mankind's benefit; without it, there would be no early detection and treatments for cancer, microsurgical successes, microwaving of food, cellular phones, DVDs, nanofibers, etc.

Hopefully, however, the attitudes of our leaders will be based on knowledge of the facts and they will weigh their decisions from an enlightened viewpoint, utilising the most modern technologies to get Jamaica out of it's deep hole and to the forefront where it belongs. This will only be possible if there is cheap energy. Hopefully also, they do not choose to succumb to the populist reaction from the ill- and under-informed.

Singh's viewpoint should be respected, but, at the same time, he is completely ignorant of the advances in technology, especially in the fifth generation nuclear reactors known as PBMRs (Pebble Bed Modular Reactors); or he chose the alarmist view without understanding the article written by Valanna Hill of the University of the West Indies in The Sunday Gleaner of April 12.

It should be emphasised that the article is a contribution from the UWI and there is no positioning to benefit by her, nor by me when I recently proposed the investment in response to the JPS's application for a rate increase.

As far as safety is concerned, Hill did point out that all the concerns were addressed by the PBMRs, which is considered "idiot proof", meaning that the likelihood of a holocaust is impossible, and that the pellets containing the uranium would be completely harmless before use as well as after it has been cycled.

I am, etc.,

DONALD CHUNG

canjamma@yahoo.com

Kingston 6