Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

July 28, 2008

The old debate as to whether or not cell phones can really cause cancer and brain tumors has been reignited, again.

Dr. Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute made headlines last Thursday by encouraging his staff to limit the use of cell phones because of a possible cancer link.

Since then, the public seemingly has yawned, as they have in the past everytime the topic comes up.

Dr. Herberman encouraged cell phone users, especially children, to take precautions such as using the device’s speakerphone or a BlueTooth wireless headset.

He said the public shouldn’t wait for a definitive study but rather err on the side of caution by being more proactive.

Since the story ran in numerous U.S. newspapers such as The New York Times and the Kansas City Star, Internet message boards and forums have been very active with a surprising amount of dismissiveness.

A large number of message board writers questioned the results, doubted the connection between correlation and cause, and inquired about other wireless technologies such as cordless phones.

All told, a greater number of respondents said they would wait for actual scientific proof, citing that cancer warnings have been associated with everything from bacon to bug spray.

Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

    This article was featured on Business 5.0.

Source: The New York Times.