Critical thinking concepts and applications

¶ … cell phones are responsible for brain cancer. They believe that though there may not be a direct correlation it may be possible to find some relationship between the amounts of usage, positioning of the phone in reference to the body etc. researchers state that there are some significant correlations present. Nordenberg further, into the article reports begin to discuss that it is important to have a greater understanding of the levels of radiation emitted form cell phones.

Data collection takes place through various means throughout the research. One way reported is with previous medical records of cell phone customers that formed brain cancers, private interviews. Nordenberg goes extensively into detail discussing that there are two main ways to test the hypothesis and collect data. The first way is through epidemiological studies, which allows the researcher to look at the individual incidents in humans. However, this method consists of various difficulties associated with obtaining results. Researchers state that it is difficult to determine data concerning single variables in a person's life. The other method discussed is the use of animal studies, this one is the most widely used although it is often hard to relate results that re found in animals to specific occurrences in humans.

Variables in the research include cell phone usage, brain cancer development, life style factors etc. these are the main variables discussed throughout the article. Another variable discussed is the amount of radiation emitted from a cell phone and the effects of long-term exposure to those specific amounts of radiation exposure. Levels of the variables are not consistent.

Information given neither supports nor denies the hypothesis. However, certain points are evident. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consistently conduct research regarding cell phones, there usage, and what affects this all has on the consumer. The research does support the idea that there is a need for further research regarding cell phones and ways to make using them safer. An important note is that the article does stay consistent with the title of the article. No clear correlation exists between cell phone usage and brain cancer. However research has raised cause for concern, radiation emitted from cell phones, though low in nature could have effects over prolonged periods, however there are so many facts that determine if a person would develop brain cancer from a cell phone. Nordenberg reports that considering the numbers of individuals that develop brain cancer, these numbers do not increase/decrease when cell phone usage is introduced. It is the belief of he writer and researchers that individuals that report brain cancer that use cell phones would still develop brain cancer even if cell phones were not used.

In my opinion that data does help the theory that there is no direct correlation between brain cancer and cell phone usage, however if a person wanted to state that there is a correlation between the two it would be difficult to prove it. A significant portion of the information provided supports that there is cause for concern but there is no significant relationship between cell phones and brain cancers.

Other hypothesis that could have been tested could concern effects on skin by the heat emitted from the radiation given off by antennas on cell phones. The article appears to be rather inclusive, and therefore leave little room for misinterpretation. There were so many instances where it was easy to believe everything you read without questioning it, especially when you have an article that is written regarding information reported by the FDA, with the support and backing of various doctors. It is evident that when there is cause for concern it is important to research and determine ways to correct the problem. One of the reasons that radiation and cell phones has become such a mute issue is due to technology. (Nordenberg) the article explains that technology is one of the primary reasons why it is difficult to assess the effects of radiation in cell phones. Cell phones are constantly changing and improving in safety and efficiency. Therefore, it is difficult to use this as a variable in a study with any consistency.