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The Story Behind Cell Phone Radiation Research

Posted by Hemos on from the the-tumult-and-perspective dept.

XopherMV writes "A study by Lai and Singh, published in a 1995 issue of Bioelectromagnetics, found an increase in damaged DNA in the brain cells of rats after a single two-hour exposure to microwave radiation at levels considered "safe" by government standards. The idea behind that study was relatively simple: expose rats to microwave radiation similar to that emitted by cell phones, then examine their brain cells to see if any DNA damage resulted. The news was apparently unwelcome in some quarters. According to internal documents that later came to light, Motorola started working behind the scenes to minimize any damage Lai's research might cause even before the study was released. In a memo and a draft position paper dated Dec. 13, 1994, officials talked about how they had "war-gamed the Lai-Singh issue" and were in the process of lining up experts who would be willing to point out weaknesses in Lai's study and reassure the public. To this day, the cell phone industry continues to dispute Lai and Singh's findings although half of about 200 studies say there is a biological effect from cell phone radiation. Read more in UW Columns."

6 of 560 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Trivial solution ... by Random+Chaos · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh great. Leave the phone in your pocket where it will damage the DNA you pass on to your children.

    Bravo - great idea!

  2. Bugger. by ben0207 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Turns out it was the phone itself, and not the bills that were trying to kill me.

    --
    cmd-q.co.uk - some sort of stupid fucking internet bullshit
  3. Re:Well by TummyX · · Score: 5, Funny


    We'll all find out later in life when we're 40 and slobbering all over ourselves and mumbling incoherent nothings.

    You're new around here aren't you?

  4. Re:I wonder. by Not_Wiggins · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is almost tinfoil hat territory...

    Ironically, your tinfoil hat may actually help in this instance! 8)

    --
    Diplomacy is the art of saying, "Nice doggie!" until you can find a rock.
  5. this calls for a double-blind study by tuffy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let's issue standard cel phones to one group, placebo cel phones to another and see if there's any difference in cancer rates.

    --

    Ita erat quando hic adveni.

  6. Hard to know by CleverNickedName · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fifty years from now our grandkids could be laughing at us for holding such dangerous devices up to our heads.

    That's why I keep my mobile in my front trousers-pocket. There's no chance I'll be laughed at by grandkids.

    --


    Unfortunately, I am not Wil Wheaton