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Doctor hung up on cell phone cancer risk

A doctor in Pittsburgh has issued a warning to his staff at a prominent cancer research facility, asking them to limit their cell phone usage due to a possible cancer risk.

Wait -- don't throw your iPhones out the window just yet. This doctor, while a reputable man, is not making this recommendation on the basis of, well, science. And, not only doesn't he have any data to back up his warning, but the warning contradicts many other studies that have concluded that cancer has nothing to do with cell phones.

Says the AP: 'The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don't find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.'

So, what is the good doctor's rationale for scaring billions of people around the world who live off their cells every day? 'Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later.'

Says the USA Today: 'He based his warning on early, unpublished data, saying people should take precautions now because it takes too long to get definitive answers from science. '

I pose the question to you, fellow geeks: Is this doctor being responsible and reliable by informing people of what he sees as a possible cancer risk for cell phone use, or is he being incredibly irresponsible for scaring people unnecessarily with no data or studies to back him up?

My thoughts? Hmmm... a doctor who doesn't want to wait for science and issues warnings based on gut feelings and short-term data from uncompleted studies... well smack my knee and call me convinced! Just don't use my cellphone.

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“Doctor hung up on cell phone cancer risk”