Does nuclear energy contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons?

Encyclopedia of Opinion

Question: Does nuclear energy contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons?
Position1 of 2›: Yes, nuclear energy contributes to the creation of nuclear weapons

This position holds that civilian nuclear energy contributes to the spread of nuclear weapons. It argues that the same technologies — producing plutonium from spent reactor fuel, and enriching uranium — can give a state the materials and capability to build a nuclear bomb.

Supporting arguments · 2

Plutonium is produced from spent nuclear fuel
Pu-239 is incredibly easy to create from uranium used in nuclear power. Weapons-grade plutonium can be created from spent uranium in almost any country that has the capabilities for nuclear power.
Rapid and prolonged enrichment of uranium can lead to weapons-grade uranium
Enriching U-238 to create U-235 can aid in the creation of nuclear energy. However, enriching uranium can also lead to the creation of something much more dangerous—explosive, highly volatile weapons-grade uranium.