Dr. George Carlo, head of Wireless Technology Research L.L.C., is a tough one to figure.
Should we feel sorry for Carlo because of the lawsuits (and the accompanying indemnification snafu), wireless industry funding squabbles, logistical problems and media controversy that confront him and threaten his five-year, $25 million program?
Carlo is charting new waters in trying to determine whether pocket phones pose health risks. We know digital phones interfere with hearing aids, cardiac pacemakers and other medical devices. Carlo, working with scientists, industry and government, has identified some solutions. Job well done.
Now, to what extent is Carlo responsible for his travails surrounding RF bioeffect research?
WTR’s 1994 research agenda is a marvelous document. It helped Carlo gain credibility and respect in the scientific community and government circles.
But as we learned last week, WTR’s work will yield far less scientific data than the agenda envisioned. Carlo admits as much. For example, Carlo will conduct sub-chronic, 90-day RF exposure rat studies instead of dosing rodents for their brief, 2-year lifetime.
Carlo says smart science necessitates doing sub-chronic work first, then determining whether a lifetime RF study is warranted. This explanation is odd. Since short-term dosing is less likely than long-term dosing to show a result, isn’t it biased toward not doing long-term exposure?
Truth is, Carlo doesn’t have the time nor the money to do a lifetime study.
Mike Volpe, spokesman for WTR, said months ago WTR hadn’t decided about short- vs. long-term rat RF exposure work. There are indications the decision for short-term has been made for some time.
Therein lies the big issue: credibility, with scientists, industry, and yes, the media. I am told Carlo engaged scientists across the country early on for input, he, an epidemiologist and lawyer, lacking any RF background. They say they were led to believe they had a place in the program, but after sharing their knowledge with Carlo, never heard another word.
Given all that, I feel for Carlo. He is pulled from all sides-the industry, the scientific community, the government, the press and, perhaps, from within. The five years and $25 million are arbitrary numbers. He began with little infrastructure and lots of overhead costs.
But even if the program falls short, it should be considered a start rather than an end. The government should not be idle. It could set aside a slice of the billion dollar auction revenues for continued research. Think of it as an investment in the future in terms of insurance against potential RF health problems and strike lawyers.
Carlo deserves continued support and a fair hearing.
