Are Mobile Phones Harmful?
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Today, many billions of us carry mobile (cellular) 'phones. Once the executive luxury of the businessman, the mobile phone has rapidly become a commodity item.
But the debate still rages on as to whether they are safe or not. Does the microwave energy they emit cause harm? Is it possible that they really could "cook" your brain, or cause other defects such as memory loss or tumours?
It seems as though the jury is still out. The manufacturers and network operators would have us believe (not surprisingly) that "there is no evidence they are harmful". This pompous statement sends me into palpitations. Recall, there was "no evidence" that BSE could harm human beings. But it didn't stop it from happening...
And on the other hand, Governments and scientific bodies are conducting research, to see if such evidence conclusively exists. And where are the results? Who knows, but you can bet your bottom dollar, if the news is bad, it's going to be difficult to come to terms with.
And so, finally - spurred by this information deficit - here is some independent research into the effects of microwave emissions from mobile phones. Is it good news??...
Well, that depends on your viewpoint, but either way, it would be wise to have a lager on standby.
The experiment - Experimental setup
Most experiments rely on some arbitrarily representative 'laboratory' setup, and a whole bunch of finicky electronic measuring equipment.
However, we felt that to take this approach was adding nothing new to the scientific knowledge base. In fact, for our experiment we wanted to test the real effects of the microwave emissions: i.e. as close to real life as possible.
To do this, we would have to expose organic tissue to real 'phone radiation. Naturally we could get in big trouble for clamping someone in the lab, and trying to do this on a live human being (or a dead one for that matter). And so the alternative was to use the next best thing:diced chicken.
Diced chicken has the remarkable property that it feels pretty squidgy, just like a human brain, and furthermore, in the diced state, both brain & chicken exhibit a similar IQ. This definitely made it a good choice.
The next consideration was how to apply radiation to the tissue. It was decided that the most representative option was to employ areal mobile phone in close proximity to the flesh.
The phone would be configured to have its aeriel a realistic distance (2cm) from the 'brain' (chicken), and we would then make a normal 'phone call. We would dial a local number, so as to use less power, and give the chicken a better chance.
The storyboard below shows the procedure.
1. The Fresh diced chicken is brought into the lab.
2. The protective wrapping is removed, thus eliminating the possibilty of false results due to cling film microwave absorbtion.
3. The 'phone is placed in position, as if wedged between imaginary shoulder & chin.
2. The protective wrapping is removed, thus eliminating the possibilty of false results due to cling film microwave absorbtion.
3. The 'phone is placed in position, as if wedged between imaginary shoulder & chin.
please note: the chicken was already dead, and therefore was not harmed during this experiment.
The live testing
Now that the subject was prepared, it was time to apply some telephone microwaves, and observe the result.
The phone was checked for maximum battery strength; a preselected number was carefully dialled; and then a timer started.
Everyone then stood back out of the way, in case we had gotten a wrong number.
The storyboard below shows how events unfolded...
3. The phone is dialled.
Note, at this stage the chicken is in pristine condition, and the 'phone is performing well.
4.20 minutes have elapsed. Note that some tissue appears to be turning white.
We were surprised that this effect happened so quickly.
5. This shot after 25 minutes, clearly shows molecular changes to the meat. This baby is starting to barbeque!
3. The phone is dialled.
4.20 minutes have elapsed. Note that some tissue appears to be turning white.
5. This shot after 25 minutes, clearly shows molecular changes to the meat. This baby is starting to barbeque!
Notice also the radiation pattern - not "straight out the top" as previously thought.
The observed heating effect
Everything was still going to plan, and at this stage of the experiment we were almost, quite literally, shmokin'!
By now it was necessary to engage the extractor fan.
We were amazed to see that the chicken really was beginning to get hot and start to cook from the inside, out.. And moreover, the rate of change was increasing. Sure-fire evidence that this mobile phone is nothing short of a portable barbie!
By now, we could start to smell cooking chicken, so much so, that we nearly succumbed to a KFC mega-bucket!
The storyboard below shows the remarkable developments.
7.27 minutes into the experiment and the close up shows undoubtable heating near the antenna.
8.29 minutes, and the heating effect begins to spread in a more even pattern.
Remember, you're looking at a simulation of your brain.
9. Now at 42 minutes, and this close up shows clearly that the major portion of meat has become heated to the core. We decide to allow the experiment to continue to see just how far the chicken will cook!
7.27 minutes into the experiment and the close up shows undoubtable heating near the antenna.
8.29 minutes, and the heating effect begins to spread in a more even pattern.
9. Now at 42 minutes, and this close up shows clearly that themajor portion of meat has become heated to the core.
Final Experimental Results
We allowed the experiment to run for a further12 minutes before drawing it to a conclusion.
We believe that the findings are remarkable, and clearly highlight the need for much more research of this style in this area.
The most important discovery appears to be that the chicken-under-test became so damaged by exposure to the phone radiation, that it actually turned into a jalfrezi.
This astonishing result has not yet been repeated, but attempts are underway with other makes of mobile phone, especially WAP. One theory suggests that the newer GPRS phones, with their higher bandwidth capability, might have sufficient strength to create a vindaloo complete with rice!
As for the outlook for the human brain; clearly accurate results will be hard to obtain without clamping someone down in the lab.
Have we proved what effect mobile 'phones have on the human brain? Is not entirely clear, but our experimental results are surely food for thought?
The final storyboard shows the wind^H^H^H^Hgroundbreaking outcome.
10. Close of up the chicken jalfrezi, clearly shows near-perfect moistness.
11. The experimental evidence is prepared and packaged for later digestion.... errr.. inspection..
10. Close of up the chicken jalfrezi, clearly shows near-perfect moistness.
11. The experimental evidence is prepared and packaged for later digestion.... errr.. inspection..
