EMF Health-effects Research
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DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in C6 glioma and primary glial cells exposed to 836.55 MHz modulate RF. Stagg RB, Thomas WJ, Jones RA, Adey WR Bioelectromagnetics 18: 230-236 1997 Motorola-funded Contractors: Pettis Memorial VA Medical Centre, Loma Linda, California. This study of possible tumor-promoting effects explored whether a modulated RF field of the type employed by some digital cellular telephones (836.55 MHz TDMA) could influence the rate of DNA synthesis and lead to an increase in cell proliferation. Primary rat glial cells as well as a transformed (C6) glioma cell line were exposed to RF for 24 hours at between 0.15 and 59 µW/g. When exposed and unexposed primary rat glial cells were compared, no significant differences were observed in the rate of DNA synthesis from either log phase or serum starved cultures at any power level. Cell doubling times of primary glial cells demonstrated no significant effects of RF exposure on cell proliferation. Following exposure of the C6 glioma cell line culture, there was no observed effect on cell proliferation which could be attributed to an increase in the rate of DNA synthesis. Under the conditions tested, the study concluded that the TDMA field "does not act as a promoting agent". |
Additional Web NotesReaders should, in general, be wary of Motorola- or Nokia-funded research, but some has clearly been done by top biomedical researchers, as is the case above. However the abstracts from these studies are often written by Motorola's PR department, and the contracts sometimes place limitations on reporting. Some company-funded studies are difficult to judge in terms of credibility, and some are clearly dubious. See also Dr Adey's overview of the evidence of R/F effects on the brain and nervous system. |
