(Don't) Hold the Phone

From the April 2008 issue of Acres U.S.A. magazine, 79: (n.b.* -- The Cleveland Clinic is ranked right up there with Mayo, Johns Hopkins, and other leading medical instiutions.)

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, after studying 361 men, found that the more hours the men spent on their cell phones, the lower their sperm count and the greater their percentage of abnormal sperm. Although no direct correlation is yet confirmed, the study does add to the concern about the effect of electromagnetic energy on body tissue, especially on DNA. The clinic is now planning to assess a larger group of men, adding other factors into the equation, such as lifestyle and occupational habits.

Sporadic reports on the deleterious effects of cell phones have surfaced in recent years. I'm taking them in the "where there's smoke, there's fire" sense. I don't have a cell phone, but if/when I do succumb and get one I'll probably also apply one of the devices that are now offered that supposedly help negate some of the electromagnetic effects. (Note: I'm not recommending the device in the previous link. I only cite it as an example of the activity taking place in this arena.) At my age, it's not sperm count I'm trying to protect, but overall negative effects in general. (This also goes for computer monitors, in front of which I spend lots of hours daily, as well as televisions and other electromagnetic devices.)

Modern societies (humanity in general) are taking the "if it's possible, it's good" approach to technology. The apostle Paul suggested a different view centuries ago: “'Everything is permissible'—but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible'—but not everything is constructive" (1 Corinthians 10:23). There are lots of things in life, like cell phones, that are possible -- but not all of them may be beneficial, constructive, or healthful. Time will tell.

*n.b. Abbreviation for Latin nota bene -- "Used to direct attention to something particularly important." (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed.) Let's keep learning!