How to Spot Junk Science

Reuters News Article

Mobile Phone Radiation Harms DNA, New Study Finds
Mon Dec 20, 2004 04:38 PM ET

MUNICH/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Radio waves from mobile phones harm body cells and damage DNA in laboratory conditions, according to a new study majority-funded by the European Union, researchers said on Monday.

The so-called Reflex study, conducted by 12 research groups in seven European countries, did not prove that mobile phones are a risk to health but concluded that more research is needed to see if effects can also be found outside a lab.

In other words they want more money for their junk science project. By the way, do you notice that the second paragraph contradicts the first? First paragraph "harm", second paragraph "did not prove". Well which is it?

... After being exposed to electromagnetic fields that are typical for mobile phones, the cells showed a significant increase in single and double-strand DNA breaks. The damage could not always be repaired by the cell. DNA carries the genetic material of an organism and its different cells.

Yep, DNA is carried in EVERY CELL IN YOUR BODY I believe. "could not always be repaired". Okay. How many times was it repaired vs not?

"There was remaining damage for future generation of cells," said project leader Franz Adlkofer.

Okay "future generation". That means that the damage was proven or unproven? Were these future generations observed?

This means the change had procreated. Mutated cells are seen as a possible cause of cancer.

Bing, bing, bing…..the C word! That'll get you funding…

The radiation used in the study was at levels between a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of between 0.3 and 2 watts per kilogram. Most phones emit radio signals at SAR levels of between 0.5 and 1 W/kg.

SAR is a measure of the rate of radio energy absorption in body tissue, and the SAR limit recommended by the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection is 2 W/kg.

Okay, phones are between .05 and 1 W/kg. 25 to 50% of the limit "recommended".

The study also measured other harmful effects on cells.

Okay?

Because of the lab set-up, the researchers said the study did not prove any health risks.

So why is this a news story?

But they added that "the genotoxic and phenotypic effects clearly require further studies ... on animals and human volunteers."

"clearly require further studies" Isn't that convenient for the scientist who would be out of work if the studies ceased?

Adlkofer advised against the use of a mobile phone when an alternative fixed line phone was available, and recommended the use of a headset connected to a cellphone whenever possible.

"We don't want to create a panic, but it is good to take precautions," he said, adding that additional research could take another four or five years.

Wow, four or five years…. Isn't that convenient for the scientist who would be out of work if the studies ceased?

In a separate announcement in Hong Kong, where consumers tend to spend more time talking on a mobile phone than in Europe, a German company called G-Hanz introduced a new type of mobile phone which it claimed had no harmful radiation, as a result of shorter bursts of the radio signal.

Whoa, lessee here. A German consulting firm comes out with the junk science and a German company has a product which fits the need which was created by the junk science? What an f'ing coincidence.

(Additional reporting by Doug Young in Hong Kong)