Israel Matzav

If we have anti-radiation vests, do we still need to worry about nukes?

An Israeli high-tech company has developed a vest that protects against nuclear radiation.

Let's go to the videotape.



This is a great idea for first responders. Now, they want to extend it to all Israelis.

According to the Chairman of StemRad, Ronen Melnik, “The vests that we have developed weigh a mere 15 kgs. As such, firefighters will be able to function without a problem. The vest will in no way inhibit a firefighter’s ability to operate his equipment and evacuate the wounded.”

Not surprisingly, behind this revolutionary product are many brilliant minds. Among those involved in the development of the nuclear-proof vest is Professor Michael Levitt, an Israeli who was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. According to Levitt, the invention is already generating interest around the world, with the German army and Russian Atomic Energy Commission already in negotiations to purchase the product, Channel 2 said.

The price of the vest is 7,000 dollars and the plan is to eventually make it available to the general public, Channel 2 reported.

I'm all in favor of having this available for first responders in the event of a nuclear attack or accident. But I'm not sure what the phrase 'make it available to the general public' means. Does it mean that those of us who have $7,000 per person will be allowed to buy it? That the Israeli government will supply it to the entire country (and pay for it by raising our taxes)? Worst of all, does the very existence of such a device mean that we are going to hear arguments that it's okay for Iran to go nuclear because we can protect ourselves anyway (just like we keep hearing that we can go about our lives in southern Israel without worrying about rockets because we have Iron Dome)? Does anyone really want to take that chance?

What could go wrong?

Labels: Iranian nuclear threat, Israeli high tech, radiation

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:09 PM