Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site cadre.ARPA
Path: utzoo!decvax!genrad!panda!talcott!harvard!seismo!rochester!cmu-cs-pt!cadre!geb
From: geb@cadre.ARPA (Gordon E. Banks)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: ELECTROMAGNETIC SMOG IS A HAZARD TO YOUR HEALTH !
Message-ID: <499@cadre.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 22-Aug-85 16:15:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: cadre.499
Posted: Thu Aug 22 16:15:23 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Aug-85 11:42:52 EDT
References: <2066@ukma.UUCP>
Reply-To: geb@cadre.ARPA (Gordon E. Banks)
Distribution: na
Organization: Decision Systems Lab., University of Pittsburgh
Lines: 94

In article <2066@ukma.UUCP> wws@ukma.UUCP (Bill Stoll) writes:
>  I was surprised to find
>out that WELL ESTABLISHED FACTS are still news to many who read the
>net.

Unfortunately, this is the first posting of yours in which I have
seen ANY attempt to give references that might establish any
"facts".

>By flooding you with references of impeccable stature 

We'll come back to this.

>
>FACTS:
>
>1. Humans are electromagnetic systems at least as much as they are
>chemical, physiological, psychological or structural systems.

A non-statement, since matter itself is integrally an electomagnetic
system.

>2. Low levels of electromagnetic exposure can cause PROFOUND
>dysfunction of the Mind/Body; levels well within the everyday
>exposure of the average US citizen.

It is complete nonsense to talk about "electromagnetic" exposure
without talking about both the level and the spectrum.  The damage
threshold from green light, for example, is a lot different from
gamma radiation.  There is a lot of research going on about this.
The microwaves that the Russians beam at our embassy have caused
concern in some circles.  The results of this research may not
be made public information, however.  Let's not draw the ridiculous
conclusion, though, as I have the sneaking suspicion is coming,
that disorders X and Y observed in Z (small) percent of the average
US citizens, are being caused by this radiation.  Let's wait for
studies that establish a CAUSAL link.  (I can see it now...the
"epidemic" of bugaloo's disease began about the time {microwave ovens,
color TVs, CRT terminals} were invented.)

>6. The Federal Government has funded, this May (1985), a very large
>study to explore the mechanisms behind the observed effects of
>THERAPEUTIC TOUCH.

I'll be waiting anxiously on the results.

>2. 3rd Annual Man & His Environment in Health & Disease World Conf.
>   HUMAN ECOLOGY RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF S.W. (sponsor)(January 1985)
>   Available from: Insta-Tape, Inc., P.O. Box 1729, Monrovia, CA 91016
>   ATTENTION: tape#12 & tape#4 

Well this one isn't in our library.  What is this foundation, anyway?
Who presented the paper?  What were their methods?
Was the conference refereed?  Is there a specific paper you are referencing
OR is this your summary of the conclusions of the whole conference?
Need something more specific to go on.

>3. INDEX--"Brain Mind Bulletin", P.O. Box 42211, L.A., CA 90042
>   1977-1985,(bi-weekly) 
>4. "Light, Radiation & You", John Ott, (available paperback,1985)
>5. "Silent Pulse", George Leonard, Bantam Books
>6. "The Turning Point", Fritjof Capra, Simon and Shuster, (paperback
>   edition available 1984)
>7. "Therapeutic Touch", Delores Krieger, Tarcher
>8. "DROMENON-A Journal of New Ways of Being", Special Issue: HOLOVERSE
>   Spring-Summer 1980, Vol.II,No.5-6 (available: Dromenon, G.P.O. Box
>   2244, NY,NY 10001)

Are any of these refereed publications?  No.  Impeccable? Hardly!
Capra wrote some interesting stuff on Physics, but is well known as a
health faddist with unorthodox, unsubstantiated, opinions
based more on philosophy than biological facts.  Sure, a lot of this
stuff makes for interesting speculation, including the idea of
"laying on of hands", but no hard evidence yet, as far as I know,
just anecdotes.   (That isn't saying it is false, remember).

>9. "The Laying on of Hands--Energy from Electromagnetic Fields",
>   MEDICAL WORLD NEWS/July 22, 1985; (this is perhaps the widest
>   distributed medical journal in the world--every major language, in
>   every major country, weekly).

This is what we call a "throwaway".  Sent to physicians free,
paid for by drug ads.  Hardly something to put in your CV!  It
also isn't reporting any results...only that the research
establishment (hey, I thought they were the bad guys) is open
minded enough to investigate the phenomena.  Maybe their research
will show some results, maybe not.
>
>I have placed nothing on the net, nor will I, that has less
>documentation than this. 

Well, looks like we're still waiting for scientific experiments
published in refereed journals.