Studies into the Health Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation Underway

Two of the world’s top mobile phone makers said more research is needed into the potential for cell phone radiation to damage DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The said pronouncement came after a laboratory study by 12 European institutes insinuated harmful effects from cell phone use. The study was conducted in seven European Union.
Motorola and Sony Erickson, the world’s no. 3 and 6 mobile phone makers, said they needed further scientific evidence that radio waves harm body cells and damage DNA.
The result of a European Union-funded study, actually a four-year research projects, measured a significant increase in single and double-strand DNA breaks in human and animal cells after being exposed to electromagnetic fields that are typical for mobile phones.
Franz Adlkofer, project leader of the EU – funded study said the laboratory study 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.
Previous independent studies into the health effects of mobile phone radiation have found it may have some effect on the human body, such as heating up the brain and causing head aches and nausea. However, no study that could be independently repeated has proved that radiation had permanent harmful effects.
Motorola said two other major research projects are underway, one from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (I ARC), a specialized cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), and separate WHO study.
The first study assesses whether electromagnetic fields from cell phones are a cause of cancer in humans, after I ARC found that this was a “possibility.” The other study looks into other health effects of radiation.
Results of the studies are now expected late-2005 at the earliest for I ARC, and a year (2006) for the WHO research project.
Sony Erickson said it sponsors research, but mainly those projects recommended by WHO.
Perhaps we really have to live up to the possible risk of technological breakthrough. If it’s the price we have to pay for advancement, we can only hope for a minimal dose of those uncertainties.

Technorati Tags: Science/Space

Vote Result

Score: 0.0, Votes: 0