Bioelectromagnetics Society's (BEMS's) 34th Annual Conference in 2012 took place in Brisbane, Australia.
There is something wrong with the BEMS. Please, let me explain:
- Members were surprised to get an e-mail from [email protected] where there was marketing of Air Force standards by an ex-mobile industry worker!
- The BEMS Newsletter was edited (and reviewed) by an industry representative for many years [Comment in the BEMS newletter, see page 4]
- Industry is arranging the Best Paper Award nomination. Often a no-risk paper wins and reviewing is ... strange at least .
- The BEMS future chairman even says "It is true that industry frequently employ me because they propably like what I am going to say":
Starting at 3:30.
[In addition to the trailer, I also recommend the film "Is your cell phone going to kill you".]
- A lot of emphasis in the Brisbane conference is put on "risk communication". When you look at this area closer, you can translate risk communication as "systematic and heavily-funded down-playing of risks".
- Several Brisbane (keynote) speakers have worked as consultants for mobile&power industry [1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ].
[Yes, I can/will work as a consultant as well but at least I protect the rights of injured workers and cancer victims! The mobile&power industry is important globally/economically, but we need more fair play. ]
- Update: Bioelectromagnetics Grand Old Men Carl Blackman and Marko Markov have several times pointed out how scientific studies should be conducted and how important is proper dosimetry. The BEMS journal publication and evaluation policy has not unfortunately followed these pieces of advice.
- Update: Microwave News pointed out heavy industry sponsoring.
Anecdote: "If you can't win, change the rules". This is happening with Bioelectromagnetics Society under heavy industry influence.
Please, tell me: As a BEMS member candidate, why should I pay a full membership fee? How can I be sure that my membership would support independent research?
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