It is an understatement to say that it is unfortunate that these workers are sacrificing their health and potentially their lives to contain the radiation and get the situation under control.

But it is also very likely that if they were all to walk away from the situation, that the damage to human life and to the environment will be far greater than any of us want to think about.

There are many ethical questions whirling around this with no easy answers.

Maybe one analogy for this is an ensnared animal who chews off its own leg to save its life. Maybe like that "127 Hours" guy cut off part of his arm in order to survive.

Is it even possible to advocate that no one try to do anything about these damaged reactors, because it might be dangerous to a few individuals? The reactors will not fix themselves on their own.

Everything has a price. What is going on is beyond sad, beyond tragic. I for one am very grateful that efforts are continuing to try to contain the fallout. I don't know how, but I'm sure we'll find ways to honor the work and sacrifice of these brave, strong people.