Australian research shows electromagnetic radiation causes changes to genetic makup.

At an EMF Scientific Workshop, held in Melbourne, on October 17, 1996, and hosted by the Electricity Supply Association of Australia Ltd. (ESSA), Dr. Peter French, Principal Scientific Officer of the Centre for Immunology, St Vincents Hospital, Darlinghurst, Sydney, reported on his recent research.

In a presentation titled, Effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz on cellular growth, morphology, secretion and gene transcription, Dr. French's research indicates that exposure to electro-magnetic radiation causes changes to genetic makeup.

Gene transcription - the ways in which genes are activated to form different types of protein, eg. those specific for liver, skin, etc. - appear to be affected by electromagnetic radiation. Some DNA expression is turned on and some turned off as a result of exposure. The shape of cells, their secretion and growth rates have been shown to change by exposure. The following is from the abstract of Dr. French's presentation.

"Effects of "non-thermal" levels of electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz were studied using cells grown in the laboratory. Three cell types were used; a rat mast cell line, RBL-2H3; a human malignant glioblastoma line, U87-MG; and a human primary endothelial cell culture, HUVEC. The exposure system consisted of a crystal controlled solid state microwave generator with a central frequency of 835.10 MHz. Output was via a 50 Ohm coaxial cable connected to a circular antenna approximately 9.5 cm. diameter. The antenna was mounted in the centre of a cubical Faraday cage and cells were exposed within the Faraday cage. Cultures were allowed to cool to ambient temperature during the exposure period."

MAST CELLS:

"A mast cell line, RBL-2H3, was exposed for 20 minutes, 3 times per day for 7 days at power densities of 4.5 and 9.6 mW/cm2. From day 4 onwards, it was observed that the rate of DNA synthesis and cell replication increased, that actin distribution and cell morpology became altered, and the amount of b-hexosaminidase (a marker of granule secretion) released in response to a calcium ionophore was significantly enhanced, in comparison to unexposed cultures.

There were no effects seen on levels of cytoskel-etal protein synthesis or of b-actin mRNA. However, using the technique of differential display, changes in the level of several mRNA bands were observed, indicating an effect on the process of gene transcription. Morphological changes persisted following subculture for at least 14 days in the absence of further exposure."

MALIGNANT GLIOBLASTOMA CELLS:

"A human astrocytoma cell line, U-87 MG, was exposed to 835 MHz for 20 minutes, 3 times per day for 7 days at a power density of either 50 mW/cm2 or 9.6 mW/cm2. At the lower power density, it was observed that the rate of DNA synthesis decreased, and that the cells flattened and spread out in comparison to unexposed cultures. At 50 mW/cm2 there were no effects seen on cell proliferation, but alteration in cell morphology included increased cell spreading and the appearance of actin- containing blebs at localized sites on the membrane. It is hypothesized that 835 MHz at the lower power density may be affecting a signal transduction pathway involved in cell proliferation."

ENDOTHELIAL CELLS:

"Exposure under the above conditions caused alteration in endothelial cell morphology, but did not cause any alteration in growth rate."

"The results of this study indicate that there are cell-type specific differences in response of cells to exposure to electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz at intensity levels which do not cause heating of the cell culture medium.

The fact that effects on gene transcription can be detected at the mRNA level may have important implications for industries and users in the area of EMF's in general, and telecommunications in particular."

I rang Dr. French about the implications for mobile phone users, since the power levels used in his study are greater than one would be exposed to using a phone with the antenna placed against the head.

His reply was that further refining of the measuring process and using lower power levels comparable to levels mobile phone users may be exposed to are giving similar results as found at the higher levels.

This is worrying evidence that low level (non-thermal) exposure, similar to that from a hand held analogue phone of 835 MHz is having an effect on human cells. Dr. French has not yet conducted experiments with digital phones but thinks that similar or stronger impacts may apply, since the radiation is stronger and the pulsed modulated fields are likely to have more biological effect.

Obviously this study raises far more questions than it answers, hopefully these questions will be answered with the help of Australian government research funding.