Subject: Re (Markov) BEMS as authoritative source..... (fwd)
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 024738 -0600 (CST)
From: "Roy L. Beavers" <rbeavers@llion.org>
To: emfguru <rbeavers@llion.org>
--------------------------------------------------
Hi everybody:
First, my server has been "down" for about twenty hours. It appears
that I may have missed some traffic.....
Second, one message which I did receive is below. I appreciate this
message from Dr. Markov.
I'm afraid my earlier remarks about BEMS were interpreted by some as an
"attack" upon BEMS. I did not intend that. Let me try (again) to
express my concerns about BEMS' problems:
(1) I have no quarrel with Dr. Markov's statements below. IN PRINCIPLE,
I agree with what he says.....
(2) But, his statement reflects the situation as it is being seen by
many BEMS members. i.e., "Of course, we are being financed by industry/
government. There is no other source!!!" (Which is also true, of course,
of virtually all research in the U.S.)
(3) That's the problem!!! And BEMS (like the whole of the EMF research
community) has 'rationalized' that situation for so long that they have
lost sight of the extent to which their "findings, public pronouncements,"
etc., (and sometimes the research of their members as well!) are being
compromised "spinned" to protect their funding providers....
I ask the members and friends of BEMS to examine this aspect very
seriously!!! I believe that a great deal of HARMFUL 'rationalization' is
taking place..... (This statement comes after almost six years of very
close observation of the situation on my part.)
(4) If, after such an introspective examination, the members of BEMS
(which means perhaps 75% of the EMF research community) come to the
conclusion that EMF 'science' must have total scientific independence --
IN THE PUBLICS INTEREST -- I ask you to "lay out that case" to Congress!!
Put your reservations on the record! Explain just exactly WHY it is so
important that ***science be free-ed*** from its present dependence upon
research funding that (presently) is being provided by the VERY SAME
VESTED INTERESTS who are the "targets" of the research!!! (The CTIA
example is an obvious and SAD case in point!!!)
I am not asking that BEMS pursue this course for "its" benefit.....
The PUBLIC is the loser under the present system! It is the 'publics'
interest that is CLEARLY being compromised. This recent discussion we
have been having here on EMF-L about "standards" and possible "regulatory"
criteria provides an excellent example!! Indeed, that is what caused the
BEMS role to become part of the discussion. (I didn't introduce it. Dr.
Markov did. And I'm glad that he did!) BEMS is perhaps the ONLY
"potentially" ***independent*** institution we have at the moment for
the 'management' (inspiration!!) of EMF research....
I wish to ENCOURAGE BEMS to take a STRONGER leadership role in NOT ONLY
"soliciting" the funding that the science community desperately needs to
continue EMF research ... but also to take a leadership role in
formulating a NEW "management system" for that funding....
My suggestion some time ago (inspired by a similar suggestion from Stewart
Fist of this list, Australia) is that the NEW "management system" MUST
be totally removed from decisions (or influence) by the 'vested interest'
government/industry "combination" we have seen in the recent past --
probably this means we should have a "citizen" commission of some
sort that would exercise management CONTROL..... (NO! I am not looking
for a job!!!)
Cheerio.....
Roy Beavers (EMFguru)
rbeavers@llion.org..............http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html
................................It is better to light a single candle ...
than to curse the darkness...............................................
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 12:00:19 -0500
From: "Dr. Markov"
To: "Roy L. Beavers"
Subject: Re: (Markov) BEMS as authoritative source.....
Dear Mr. Beavers,
This is in response of your question regarding BEMS funding. You and all
people who are discussing BEMS behavior should know that BEMS is
no-profit Society, really scientific society which consists of
individual members integrated on the base of their research interest. NO
FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY BEMS OR VIA BEMS. Each scientist is searching for
funding himself/herself.
The research in the area of bioelectromagnetics are expensive and of
course, everybody is searching for funding. Where funding is coming from
- goverment and/or industry. Do you know some other source of funding?
I have been in both sides: academic and industry and I will tell you
that everything depends on your honesty: you are hoest person and it is
not material where money come from: your results will be accepted and
valuable. You are not honest, nobody may change you.
Being scientist I prefer to see scientific publication in peer review
journal rather than newsmedia story. Dont you think that journalists
are in greater extent "lackeys' then scientists?
Did you ever think why RAPID program received $ 42 millions, but no peny
was dedicated to sponsor clinical research on beneficial effects of EMF.
There are thouzands of publication outside USA about this modality. So,
EMF is not only negative, it has also psitive featurde.
Your work is extremely important and valuable for both the science and
general public and I certainly want to acknowledge this.
Marko Markov
Archive provided courtesy of WaveGuide, http://www.wave-guide.org
Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html