Cell Phones and Children

by Daniel J. Murphy, DC, FACO

 

                Dan Murphy graduated magna cum laude from Western States Chiropractic College in 1978, and has more than 20 years of practice experience. He received Diplomat status in Chiropractic Orthopedics in 1986. Since 1982, Dr. Murphy has served part-time as undergraduate faculty at Life Chiropractic College West, currently teaching classes to seniors in the management of spinal disorders.

                Dr. Murphy is on the post-graduate faculty of several chiropractic colleges. His post-graduate continuing education classes include “Whiplash and Spinal Trauma” and “Pain Neurology.” Dr. Murphy is the coordinator of a year-long certification program in “Chiropractic Spinal Trauma,” now (2000) in its twelfth year of being offered. This year, the program is being offered through the International Chiropractors Association of California. He has taught more than 700 post-graduate continuing education seminars.  Dr. Murphy is a contributing author to the book Motor Vehicle Collision Injuries, published by Aspen, 1996; and to the book Pediatric Chiropractic, published by Williams & Wilkins, 1998. He writes a quarterly column in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic.   In 1987, 1991 and 1995 Dr. Murphy received the Post-graduate Educator of the Year award, given by the International Chiropractic Association. In 1997, he received The Carl S. Cleveland, Jr., Educator of the Year award, given by the International Chiropractic Association of California.

 

In 1985, I read The Body Electric by Robert Becker.1

            In 1990, I read Crossed Currents, again by Robert Becker.

            Last year, I read Energy Medicine, The Scientific Basis, by James Oschman.3

            These references present compelling information that small electrical currents have biological effects.  These biological effects can be beneficial, including improved healing of soft tissue and bone. These biological effects can also be harmful, including adverse alteration of genetic expression, electrical nerve interference, and cancer.

            My interest has now moved to cellular telephones, their biological effects, and how they affect adults and, especially, children.  My 14- year-old daughter Danielle has a cell phone.  My four-year- old daughter Candiss does not.  As I watch the teenagers on campus at my daughter’s high school, I would estimate that half of them carry and regularly use

cellular phones.

            In 2000, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published an article titled “Markers of DNA repair and susceptibility to cancer in humans: an epidemiologic review.”  These authors summarized all of the published epidemiologic studies on DNA repair in human cancer through

1998 (n = 64) that addressed the association of cancer susceptibility with a defect in DNA repair capacity.                         

            They note: “DNA repair is a system of defenses designed to protect the integrity of the genome. Deficiencies in this system likely lead to the development of cancer.”

            The authors broadly grouped DNA repair capacity into five categories. They noted that the most sensitive biological marker for cancer susceptibility is  “induced micronuclei.”  A micronucleated cell is a cell that has a number of nuclei instead of only one.

            This year I read Cell Phones, Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age, An

Insider’s Alarming Discoveries About Cancer and Genetic Damage, by George Carlo. 5

            Dr. George Carlo is a public health scientist, epidemiologist, and lawyer who was the chief research scientist investigating the safety of cellular phones for the cellular phone industry.  Therefore, he was the ultimate insider into the $200 billion per year cellular phone industry.

            In his book, Dr. Carlo summarizes the evidence that the radiation plume from cellular phones:

            (1) Interfere with cardiac pacemakers.

            (2) Breakdown the blood-brain-barrier, which allows excitotoxins and

other substances to adversely affect the brain more greatly.

            (3) Cellular phone radiation creates cellular micronuclei, the biological marker for cancer susceptibility.

            Dr. Carlo notes:

            “The relationship between the presence of micronuclei and cancer is so strong that doctors from around the world are using tests for the presence of micronuclei to identify patients who are likely to develop cancer.”

            “All tumors and all cancers are the result of genetic damage, and most

often that damage includes the formation of micronuclei.”

            Dr. Carlo is most concerned about the recent trend to market cellular phones to children.  He presents evidence that the radiation from cellular phones penetrates younger skulls far more deeply than those of adults.  The radiation penetration of the skulls for ten year olds was

more than half way through the brain. The radiation penetration of the skulls for five year olds was nearly complete through the brain.

            Dr. Carlo shows advertisements for cellular phones marketed to children

or to the parents targeting children using Mickey Mouse, Mini Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy.  The ads offer family plans, and state: “Admit it, you want one,”

            Dr. Carlo notes: “The skulls of young children are “the most vulnerable to the risks of radiation.”

            “The radiation plume that emanates from a cell phone antenna penetrates

much deeper into the heads of children than adults,” and these children are “more susceptible to genetic damage.”

            Dr. Carlo concludes: “There is a definite risk that the radiation plume that emanates from a cell phone antenna can cause cancer and other health problems.”

            “The best advice is to keep the antenna away from your body by using a

phone with a headset or earpiece.”

            “Headsets are the best option for mobile phone users to minimize

exposure to wireless phone radiation.”

            “Children under the age of ten should not use wireless devices of any type.”

 

REFERENCES

1. Becker RO and Selden G, The Body Electric, Electromagnetism and theFoundation of Life, Quill, 1985.

2. Becker RO, Cross Currents, The Perils of Electropollution, The Promise of Electromedicine, Tarcer, 1990.

3. Oschman J,  Energy Medicine, The Scientific Basis, Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

4. Berwick M, Vineis P, Markers of DNA repair and susceptibility to cancer in humans: an epidemiologic review,   J Natl Cancer Inst 2000 Jun 7;92(11):874-897.

5. George Carlo, Cell Phones, Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age, An Insider’s Alarming Discoveries About Cancer and Genetic Damage, Carroll & Graf, 2001.