Just the term "nuclear energy" makes many people shudder. Yet, though it sometimes escapes human control, nuclear energy is a source of benefits, and could someday even satisfy most of our energy needs. This program takes us to the heart of the atom, to examine the processes of fission and fusion by which energy can be produced with the use of uranium or even water. We learn that nuclear energy is also used to save lives (with radiation therapy) and to prevent illness (with scintiscanning). We also learn that nuclear energy, through a controversial process called food irradiation, can help prolong the length of time that foods can be preserved. (23 minutes)