An expert is warning that there's a link between cell phones and cancer, even though numerous peer reviewed research papers contradict his opinion:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/07/23/cancer.cell.phones.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

 

He's basing his concerns on "unpublished data." I consider this irresponsible, and wonder why the moniker "expert" would ever be applied to individuals of this nature.

I think he just considers the risk of doing nothing outweighs the inconvenience of people using phones less. If he is wrong, his reputation is tarnished. If he is right, he potentially saves lives.

You forgot the third option which relates to the first... He causes unecessary panic based on unfounded comments.

He has fallen prey to the same forces that drive belief in astrology and a whole host of other irrational beliefs:

• We humans see patterns in *everything*. That does not mean the pattern is real or causative. Our pattern recognizing abilities are very powerful and very old. Misplaced perception is one of the drivers in the belief in cell phones causing cancer, power transmission lines causing who-knows-what, and vaccines causing autism.
  
• We perceive making type II errors as relatively harmless but making type I errors as potentially fatal. This is another very deep and very old pre-rational belief. Ignoring a shadow moving about in the savannah might well have meant death to prehistoric man. Taking precautionary actions against false lions caused little harm.
  
• Fear of the unknown is another very deep and very old phenomenon; it is far, far older than humanity.
  
• The hero gets the first choice of the next kill and gets the first choice of the babes.

Albeit mobile phone use precautions, have been floating around for some time now. But the OP does remind me of the wifi scares, of a so-called (self proclaimed) expert. The difference being it was promotion for his electrosensitivity insulators. Rather underhanded, or plain lack of knowledge...I'm guessing a mix of both.

 

BBC article on the programme...

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/6674675.stm

 

Slamming of the claims, and scaremongering tactics here...

 

http://www.badscience.net/?p=414

Edited July 25, 200817 yr by Snail

You forgot the third option which relates to the first... He causes unecessary panic based on unfounded comments.

 

Teenagers not having a phone stuck in their ears all the time? The humanity!!

If his fears are justified, do you see cell phones being eliminated, or would they just put a warning label on them like cigarette packs?

 

Or possibly a new anti-brain cancer accessory could be sold, or better yet, a monthly subscription service....

 

 

For an extra $6.95 a month, you can upgrade to our BrainStain service! A special dye is injected from the phone through your ear so your doctor can map changes in your CAT scans!

Edited July 25, 200817 yr by Phi for All
added bubble

this is the perfect time to be perfecting the 'two tins and a bit of string' communication method of old.

this is the perfect time to be perfecting the 'two tins and a bit of string' communication method of old.

 

but dous it beat the smoke signal technology?

but dous it beat the smoke signal technology?

 

It's less damaging to the environment...plus smoke signals are very limited when it comes to vocabulary. But they win when it comes to long distance communication

this is the perfect time to be perfecting the 'two tins and a bit of string' communication method of old.

 

No can do. Heavy-metal poisoning from the cans and string is a choking hazard.

Plus the string might have been made with hemp. (Or would that be more of a plus?)

People should simply start wearing tin-foil hats while they use their cellphones.

Lol, with my service that would probably improve my reception!

Plus the string might have been made with hemp.

Great idea. You can then, like.... burn it man, for the long distance calls.