Cell phone users – beware

Have you ever experienced a 'hot head' after using your
mobile phone? Up until now there has been little evidence to support theories
that mobile phone users were putting themselves at risk from exposure to mobile
phone radiation.

In an article from The Daily Telegraph on the 20 June
2002 we received some interesting research results, 'Mobile phone radiation
can hit brain cells'.

A two-year study into the biological effects of mobile phone
radiation on brain cells has turned up some interesting findings:

"Research by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in
Finland found that microwaves from cell phone handsets damaged the blood-brain
barrier, which prevents materials from the blood entering the brain. It gave a
warning that this might have implications for human health...

Prof William Stewart, who chairs the British Government's
expert group on mobile phone radiation, said the Finnish research should be
taken seriously because it came from 'a well respected team at a well
respected institution'.

He said: 'Because it found changes to the blood-brain
barrier it is an important finding, particularly bearing in mind that it
involved a short period of exposure'...

Cells from blood vessel walls in the brain were placed in
culture dishes and subjected in the laboratory to mobile phone radiation of two
watts per kilogram, the maximum allowed internationally for mobile phones. After
an hour's exposure biochemical changes were seen in the cells that could alter
the activity of about 400 proteins.

In particular, one enzyme, called HSP 27, which helps to
regulate blood-brain barrier permeability, was affected. Prof Leszczynski said
HSP 27 affected structures in the cells called stress fibres. The distribution
of stress fibres in turn affected leakage of the blood-brain barrier.

Prof Leszczynski said: 'If the same thing happened in real
life, in people, then it could affect blood-brain barrier permeability by
increasing it.'

As a result, molecules that caused damage to neurons might be
allowed to invade brain tissue.

'What I believe is that we will find these leaks occur in
humans, too. What we do not know is the extent of these leaks and whether they
have any effect on our health,' said Prof Leszczynski....

More than 40 million people in Britain, many of them
children, use mobile phones...."

Food for thought. Whilst we have no conclusive facts as yet,
may we suggest shorter phone calls on mobiles. Hey -– land lines are cheaper
anyway, and you don't get the hot head syndrome! Telecommunications are not
specifically mentioned in the Word of God, but taking care of our bodies is -–
the temple of the Holy Ghost is valuable and it is Scripturally important that
we take care of it!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2.