Cellphone radiation researchers say industry hampers studies

Attention Hollywood: If you're looking for the next "The Insider" or "Erin Brockovich," you may want to take a look at the story of cellphone researcher Henry Lai. According to an article in Columns, the University of Washington Alumni Magazine, Lai has been the target of coordinated attacks from the cellphone industry ever since his 1995 study that found a possible link between microwave radiation and brain-cell damage. The article cites internal Motorola documents that laid out plans to "war-game" Lai's work, along with efforts by industry groups to get Lai fired from his U.W. research position. While the industry apparently didn't succeed in those attempts, Lai, like some other researchers, has moved on to other fields, and is now studying the use of a wormwood derivative as a cancer cure. Meanwhile, studies on cellphone radiation continue to yield inconclusive and contradictory results.

[Via Slashdot]

[The Director @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Scientist wants to get more grants.

Nothing new. Please move on.

[jm @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

no how about scientists lives are made so tough that they move on to other fields were they dont feel the wrath of huge coporations, This is bad for everyone. Its no longer about hiding research results its about making sure the research is never done in the first place

[Me @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

No, it's not that the reasearch won't get done at all - it will, but it has to be "in house". I work for a genetics lab and it's not uncommon for "discoveries" to get buried for a few years while drug companies decide how to make the most profit from the discovery. Usually all it takes is $$ (grant renewal) and everything is a-ok. Lai, however, didn't play ball. In research where grant renewal is life or death, you either play the game or you go home.