Mobile phones cut sperm up to 30 percent

[CShine]

Men who regularly carry a mobile phone could have their sperm count reduced by as much as 30 per cent. Those who place their phone near their groin, on a belt or in a pocket, are at greatest risk, new research has revealed. The findings, to be presented at an international conference this week, are the first to suggest male fertility could be affected by the radiation emitted by mobile phones, also long suspected of causing cancer.

The study by Hungarian researchers found the sperm that did survive exposure to mobile phone radiation showed abnormal movements, further reducing fertility. But Australian experts advised men not to panic yet.

Monash IVF's medical director Gab Kovacs said a man's sperm count "goes up and down quite a bit" and could vary greatly from one day to the next. "You'd expect a 30 per cent variation just among men randomly," he said. He said the test finding would need to be repeated in further research before they could be seen as conclusive. "I wouldn't throw out my mobile phone at the moment," Professor Kovacs said.

David de Kretser, director of Andrology Australia and the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, said it was difficult to verify the research, as it was unclear how much radiation the men had been exposed to.


http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9972718%255E401,00.html

[bigbillhaywood]

1. Awesome. I'll stuff my cel in my drawers from now on, and that way I can

use the money in my vasectomy fund for something else.

[Stuckinthebush]

11. Ha! You and I are thinking the same way Big Bill!

I read this and thought, "Hmmmm....perhaps I should move that phone closer to my groin and hold off on that surgery a while longer."

Of course, there is that little cancer problem that we have to look out for....

Oh, well.....

[Zomby Woof]

2. that's great news

The less these obnoxious assholes on their little cell phones reproduce, the better the gene pool.

[central scrutinizer]

12. evolution in action

Clearly those who can't live without their cell phones are the weak and diseased members of the human herd and are least likely to contribute to the gene pool (they are already in the shallow end).

[Triana]

3. awesome!

...we need some population control...people can't seem to figure out how NOT to breed and the infestation is destroying the planet. Hooray for cellphones.

;)

[Doctor Smith]

4. Complete nonsense.

[Devils Advocate NZ]

13. Let me guess - You work for Nokia, right?

I mean here you are calling something comlete nonsense with no supporting argument and even less evidence!

Sounds like an industry shill to me!

[LibLabUK]

15. Umm...

The hungarian study wasn't a particularly well controlled study. It's okay from a preliminary point of view but this needs further inquiry.


http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/28/mobile_ball_rot/

Professor Hans Evers, a gynaecologist from the Academic Hospital in Maastricht, the Netherlands, said the research had not considered other factors, such as age and background, that would have an impact on fertility.

"It is an observational as opposed to interventional study which appears not to take into account the many potential confounding factors which could have skewed the results. For example, what if heavy mobile phone users in Hungary have particularly stressful lives and jobs?" Factors like this would have a considerable effect on the outcome of the research, he told The Independent.

[sleipnir]

5. Sweet, instead of condoms, just use three cell phones!

That way you're sure to be safe!!!

[T Bone]

6. Cell phone users: If you can't come, then just call !!

sorry, it had to be said.

:-)

[struggle4progress]

8. I thought it was: Call before you come. eom

[bushneedstogo2]

7. How did they find that out?

:shrug:

[dusty64]

9. This is kinda scary.

:kick:

[Nlighten1]

10. So does masturbation.

:)

[yellowcanine]

14. As I am 53 years old and already have 2 kids, I think I will not worry

about this. One less thing to worry about. I am also suspicious about the integrity of this report because of the following statement: "The findings, to be presented at an international conference this week, are the first to suggest male fertility could be affected by the radiation emitted by mobile phones, also long suspected of causing cancer."

"Long suspected of causing cancer"?????? by whom? Suspected is not the same as having evidence for. This is shoddy reporting.