A new study published by New Scientists states that the use of mobile phones for a long duration could eventually cause cancer.

The study which was conducted by Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel revealed that using the mobile phone for a meager five minutes could generate cell growth or division through particular pathways that are often used by cancer only.

Prof Rony Seger from the Weizmann Institute along with his colleagues exposed rat and human cells to electromagnetic radiation of 875 megahertz, which is similar to that emitted by cell phones, but at only about one tenth of the power.

Just within five minutes of exposure to the radiation ended up in the generation of extra-cellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) - natural chemicals that stimulate cell division and growth.

Since the power is low, thereby not being able to produce considerable amount of heat to affect the cells or tissue, the effect was believed to come from the radiation itself, as per the researchers.

Prof Seger stated, “The real significance of our findings is that cells are not inert to non-thermal mobile phone radiation. We used radiation power levels that were around one tenth of those produced by a normal mobile. The changes we observed were clearly not caused by heating.”

The pathways involving extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERK1/2 even though they exist naturally are often used by cancer. ERK1/2 is a naturally occurring chemical that stimulates cell division and growth. Even though activation of these pathways does not always lead to the development of cancer, the effect of the cell phone radiation may perhaps in the long run increase the risk.

In that case one wonders how are there yet so many people on the face of this earth. If such less mobile phone talking can lead to so much damage, then perhaps the earth should be a much emptier place.