Ars Technica tackles report linking WiFi and autism

by Griffin McElroy on Nov 25th 2007 9:15PM

An alarming press release made the gaming news circuit last week; stating in layman's terms that WiFi signals can interfere with the natural methods of passing heavy metal toxins (which are theorized as one of the causes of autism) through the body, which can accelerate and worsen symptoms of autism.

However, before throwing that DS or PSP into the nearest lead-coated dumpster, you may want to read Ars Technica's response to the press release. In it, they bring the credibility of the authors into question, and debunk the report's main argument, all the while showing the possible ulterior motives of the two writers.

Considering that the numerous health agencies that have studied the possible health risks of WiFi devices and mobile phones have never found any danger from using wireless technology, we're inclined to agree with Ars Technica. But considering the growth of WiFi technology, and the general lack of understanding about the causes of autism, we'd be surprised if this is the last report of its kind.

[Via EvilAvatar]

Source

Tags: Autism, WiFi

Reader Comments (53)

Because random change events rarely/never produce beneficial results.

Reply

Sucks doesn't it :P

Though...There are some Autistics who consider themselves superior to the average human... :/

Reply

So, to summarize:

A pair of "researchers", both with conflicts of interest in the results of their own "study" put out a paper claiming to be published in a peer-related journal that does not exist from a University that is no longer an actual going concern. Further, that study, which no one can get a copy of and which was performed not at a university but at one of the "researchers" personal clinic, claims that they have a found a link between two factors which are themselves unproven in causality (i.e. there is currently no proof that Heavy Metals cause Autism) and therefore draws an unsupported third conclusion from it. Since no one can get the study, we can't determine what controls or methodology was used.

In other words: I CALL SHENANIGANS.

Previous 50 Comments