Re: EMF "possibility" (magnetite issue)

[Brian_Gaulke@hc-sc.gc.ca]

Brian Gaulke
07/24/98 04:59 PM

Bjorn:

A few considerations related to the "magnetite issue":

1.  Studies have been done which argue specifically against a role for
magnetite.  An example is Behavioural Evidence that Magnetic field Effects
in the Land Snail, Cepaea nemoralis, Might Not Depend on Magnetite or
Induced Electric currents; Frank S. Prato et al; Bioelectromagnetics
17:123-130 (1996).

2.  Studies have been done in which the results qualitatively and/or
quantitatively support models which do not involve magnetite.  E.g.:
Mechanism of Action of Weak Electromagnetic Field on Ionic Currents in
Aqueous Solutions of Amino Acids; V.V. Novikov and A.V. Karnaukhov;
Bioelectromagnetics 18:25-27 (1997),  Resonance Effect of Millimeter Waves
in the Power Range from 1E-19 to 3E-3 W/cm2 on E. Coli Cells at Different
Concentrations; I.Y. Belyaev et al; Bioelectromagnetics 17:312-321 (1996),
and Magnetic Fields at Resonance Conditions for the Hydrogen Ion Affect
Neurite Outgrowth in PC-12 Cells:  A Test of the Ion Parametric Resonance
Model; Maria A. Trillo et al; Bioelectromagnetics 17:10-20 (1996).

3.  Biogenic magnetite is prevalent and may be ubiquitous, and has been
itself suggested as one mechanism for coupling nonthermal levels of EMFs to
living systems, e.g.:  Microwave Absorption by Magnetite:  A Possible
Mechanism for Coupling Nonthermal Levels of Radiation to Biological
Systems; Joseph L. Kirschvink; Bioelectromagnetics 17:187-194 (1996).

4.  In vivo studies of multicellular species such as rats and chickens show
positive effects of EMFs.  See many of the citations in my previous post.

Given these considerations, I don't see how magnetite is a show stopper at
all.