On December 8, 1953, US President Dwight David Eisenhower spoke before the United Nations General Assembly, pledging the United States' "... determination to help solve the fearful atomic dilemma-to devote its entire heart and mind to find the way by which the miraculous inventiveness of man shall not be dedicated to his death, but consecrated to his life" (see also excerpts from the speech, pl9). Sixty years have elapsed since the so-called 'Atoms for Peace' speech. Its implementing programme gave birth to the global nuclear industry, and precipitated remarkable progress in the use of nuclear technology to improve public health and human development. Today, 30 countries and Taiwan have a total of 434 operational nuclear power reactors. There are more than 246 operational research reactors spread across 54 countries and Taiwan. Many of these produce radioisotopes for medical, industrial, and agricultural applications. Approximately 10,000 hospitals worldwide use medical isotopes, including as part of 28 million medical procedures every year in the United States and Europe alone, according to the World Nuclear Association.
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