CSIRO - June 1994 BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND SAFETY OF EMR |
2.5 PLANNED AND CURRENT RESEARCHThe investment of US $25 million by the CTIA is a clear admission of the need for a recognised research program. There are a number of other research programs in the US (at least two), Germany, France, of the order of US $2-3 million each. To be effective, the existing apparent haphazard approach to research on biological effects of microwave radiation needs to be directed. An effective central body should be able to establish an agenda that identifies the most directly relevant topics in a total research program. The CTIA has established a Scientific Advisory Group, and it is hoped that this body will go some way towards achieving such a goal, without prejudice. US researchers have been invited by CTIA to submit expression of interest (approx. 1 page description) for intended projects of bioeffects at CT frequencies. A selection process will invite full grant application by the end of 1994. It is evident that CTIA will select, and directly influence, research that it funds. Having attended the so-called "workshop on safety of cellular telephones", 13-17 June 1994 in Copenhagen, it seems that this might be unduly optimistic. In a presentation by George Carlo (Chairman of the CTIA Scientific Advisory Group), it was clear that there are considerable concerns about the way the program will be administered and conducted. According to Carlo, peer review is important; therefore the "peer-review committee" (appointed by CTIA, or Carlo) will decide what studies to fund, it will peer-review the results of those studies and any publication will be reviewed by this selected group prior to submission to peer-review journals. This level of monitoring of the output is not surprisingly, treated with suspicion. It is difficult to perceive of truly unbiased data or interpretation arising from such studies. The type of studies described by Carlo as important may not be the most appropriate. The use of "standard battery of toxicology tests" is appropriate when dealing with toxic chemicals but have unacceptably low statistical power for a cancer study that may involve a weak promoter where a dose response or reliable endpoint has not been established. His program has identified epidemiology studies as important, while the common opinion is that there is negligible chance of identifying a risk, certainly within the next 10 years. This issue was clearly put into perspective in a balanced presentation by Michele Coleman (BEMS 1994). Similarly, the ideal of mechanistic studies is fine, but unlikely to achieve a result until verified bioeffects have been identified. There does not seem to be an agenda to fund studies on CNS effects and ocular damage that have been identified at low level acute exposures. However, the subject of CNS effects in animals and humans is planned in research programs in Germany (Telekom) and France (French Telecom Research Centre). Because of the complexity of the subject there is an obvious need to develop a multi-disciplined team to undertake high quality research. One such centre is currently being established in San Antonio, Texas, where there exists a large diverse resource in facilities and personnel for in vitro and in vivo work, spread over a number of academic institutions and the US Air Force Base. A single facility that includes a wide range of expertise on a single campus exists in Loma Linda, California, although the work is primarily focused on ELF in vitro research. Much of the research in the microwave frequency range has been funded by the USAF. This includes studies within the USA and elsewhere, such as on numerical techniques for dosimetry at Kings College London. The USAF continues to contract out much of its research needs. In the UK the LINK study, funded through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) involves a multicentre study with nine academic institutions and three commercial organisations. The emphasis is on computer modelling for dosimetry. Part of the research program of the CSIRO Division of Radiophysics is the development of critical biological studies. One such program that would have benefit to the telecommunications industry, the CSIRO and Australia is the independent evaluation of thresholds (and the true dose-response) for microwave-induced ocular damage. It is also intended to study the teratogenic effects in specialised embryo culture conditions. CSIRO has local and international academic alliances that allow collaborative research on these and other vital topics. The frequency range will extend from cellular telephones to wireless PCNs.
[CONTENTS] [GLOSSARY] [REFERENCES] Current Research Abstracts Index
Please e-mail comments, information and updates to DON MAISCH: |