Australian scientists say: wireless radiation damages genes
August 22, 2023
The world is facing a pandemic of cancers and Australian researchers say that wireless radiation could be a contributing factor.
In a review published in late July, Steven Weller and team reviewed over 500 studies, concluding that wireless radiation causes genetic damage (genotoxicity) and potentially contributes to cancer.
The review showed that wireless radiation damaged DNA damage, not just in humans and animals, but even insects and plants.
Among the findings of the study were these.
- Reproductive cells showed high levels of DNA damage (80% of ovarian, 80% of testicular and 74% of spermatozoa studies).
- 76% of normal brain cell studies showed DNA damage.
- 56% of liver and lung studies showed DNA damage.
- 65% of studies on buccal mucosa cells (which line the cheek and inner lip) showed DNA damage. ‘This raises potential concerns due to mobile phone technology changes, which relocated the main antenna from the top of the phone to the bottom, nearer to the mouth,’ the authors wrote.
- Studies on plants, insects, worms and birds showed DNA damage.
Different types of DNA damage were identified in the review. They included damage to the chemical bases of DNA, chromosome aberrations and micronuclei induction. There was also evidence of confirmational DNA changes and cell death (apoptosis) which may also indicate DNA damage.
Not surprisingly, exposure to different technologies produced different results. The results showed that, ‘Commonly used bands like 900–999, 1800–1899 and 2400–2499 MHz, used by mobile phones, smart devices, and Wi-Fi showed greater proportions of effects.’
As far as 5G is concerned, the authors suggested there is not enough evidence yet to draw definite conclusions.
How could wireless radiation cause DNA damage?
The authors identified a number of ways that this could happen, including producing free radical (ie oxidative stress), generating heat shock proteins and disturbing spindle function (found in all the relevant studies).
An interesting outcome of the review was the observation that the source of a study’s funding could affect its results. ‘Studies funded by industry groups, specific military organizations (particularly the U.S. Air Force), or telecommunications regulators were skewed toward reporting null findings’ the authors wrote. Conversely, studies by independent researchers were more likely to find significant DNA damage.
Moreover, the review showed that some scientific journals were more likely to report no DNA damage than others. ‘Papers concluding that no DNA damage effects have been observed are primarily published in three journals: Radiation Research, Bioelectromagnetics, and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences,’ the authors wrote.
They explain why this is problematic. ‘The clustering of studies funded by vested interests in select journals can distort the perceived balance of evidence, potentially misleading policymakers, radiation safety practitioners, and the public.’
The authors point out that the DNA damage identified in their investigation occurred at levels of exposure that complied with international radiation Guidelines (ICNIRP Guidelines) on which Australia’s radiofrequency radiation standard is based. ‘Overall, there is a strong evidence base showing DNA damage and potential biological mechanisms operating at intensity levels much lower than the ICNIRP recommended exposure limits.’
As a result, they recommend precautions. ‘Public policy could benefit from the implementation of precautionary measures such as ALARA or ALATA, along with public information campaigns to better safeguard human and environmental health and wellbeing.’
Weller SG, McCredden JE, Leach V, Chu C and Lam AK (2025) A scoping review and evidence map of radiofrequency field exposure and genotoxicity: assessing in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological data. Front. Public Health 13:1613353. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.161335
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