Atomic Doctors: Conscience and Complicity at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age

Atomic Doctors: Conscience and Complicity at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age by James L. Nolan Jr. explores the ethical dilemmas faced by U.S. physicians during the Manhattan Project, particularly their involvement in radiation risk assessment and atomic bomb testing, including the Trinity test and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The book highlights the complex moral challenges these doctors encountered, such as determining radiation hazards while ignoring or hiding findings from the public, and their role in transporting nuclear weapons. It also delves into the broader philosophical implications of technological determinism and its impact on society, using historical accounts to illustrate the consequences of unchecked scientific advancements.

Nolan, J. L. (2021). Atomic Doctors: Conscience and Complicity at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 73(1), 54–55. https://doi.org/10.56315/pscf3-21nolan