Mobiles May 18, 2006
Posted by moonwatcher in General.trackback
Ever since the introduction mobile phones, there has been a chorus of criticism regarding the health implications of using these devices. Now I’m not referring to the physical effects induced by low self esteem due to not owning the latest, most fashionable, ‘you beaut’, take anywhere and do everything phones on the market today that have become an indispensable tool and fashion accessory. Check out Sanaa’s entry as she covers the social implications of mobile phones really well. No, what I’m referring to is cancer. Every now and then, something happens to put the argument back on the agenda again that mobile phones cause cancers or other life threatening ailments. And what put this back onto the agenda? The high incidence of staff illness (brain tumours) at the Bourke St, RMIT building. But are mobile phones and associated magnetic fields the cause?
It would be nice to give a cut and dried yes/no answer here, but frankly there is not enough research to make an accurate determination. Take a look at the conclusions given to research and experiments on the Bandolier website. Although their results are quite calming in the sense that we can freely continue using these devices without series health side effects, the dates from which these conclusions are based are a little alarming. Isn’t there anyone with more up to date research? Have a look at Cancer Research UK. According to Cancer Research UK, there is no connection between mobile phone use and brain tumours (or other cancers), but, it does state there needs to be more research. Tamar Nordenberg’s article also corroborates the Bandolier and Cancer Research UK findings. The good news after reading these articles is there is no direct link between usage and cancer; the better news is the writers of these articles advise more research so that a more definitive conclusion can be reached. So what’s the bad news? The cancer-health website provides a very stark and sobering flip side to the argument. It rejects that there is no link and provides a compelling argument as to why.
So who is right? If I knew that I wouldn’t be writing this blog entry. Read the linked articles for yourself and hunt around for more information if you don’t think they cover the argument well enough.
I believe that research into the effects of mobile phones causing cancer is a lost cause. There will never be a definitive answer for one reason; Telco’s have too much money invested in them. It is for many of the same reasons why research is always limited, conflicted, stifled or completely rejected in many other similar cases simply because these industries will always have more money and use dirtier tactics to save their income. Examples of this can be seen with James Hardie v Asbestos Victims Governments v Global Warming, Oil Companies v Renewable Energy, Government v Immigration Bungles, Tobacco Companies v Everyone, Government v Speed Cameras….and that’s only a few I can think off the top of my head.
But this pretty much means that if companies or governments are going to loose money or be liable for payouts, then research or investigations into things like this will always be compromised.
So you can wait and expect another report soon into how it cannot be proven with today’s medical science that mobiles or mobile phone towers definitively cause any ill health to humans.
But that probably wasn’t the question was it?…oh well.
Possible Cancer from mobile phones? And not enough research? Are the mobile phone companies becoming as evil as the tabacco and oil companies, controlling what information is put out there? Ahhhh!!
A friend in our circle had one of his testicles removed from cancer. The doctor couldn’t give him a reason why he had the cancer, but did ask him if he keeps his mobile phone between his legs when he drives his car. The answer was yes, and the doctor frowned. So even if it’s not true that mobile phones cause cancer, there is a scare out there for a reason!
Need more info, call me on my mobile!
[...] The twenty first century walkie talkies aka mobile phones are criticized and loved at the same time. Moonwatcher mentions that the argumnet about cell phones causing cancer and other ailments gets triggrered every now and then.As Andrew mentions there isnt enough research available at this point in time to fully support this claim. Some or the other controversies come up with almost all new technologies. Health controversy has been linked with moblie phones for a couple of years now. Even though we do not know for sure , it is better to be safe then sorry. [...]