Investigation of the possible indirect effects of electromagnetic fields on the genome

What is the issue?

Time and again, the fear that high-frequency electromagnetic fields can damage or change the genome is expressed. However, this has not yet been proven. In addition, high-frequency fields are not energetic enough to be able to directly change the genome. Scientists are therefore discussing whether there could be indirect or secondary effects on the genome.

For example, the fields could influence epigenetic modifications, which are reversible chemical changes to the genome. All these epigenetic modifications together are referred to as the epigenome, which determines how the genetic information of the genome is read. Like direct damage to the genome, damage to the epigenome can be a first step towards disease.

What is the current situation?

Some studies have investigated the influence of high-frequency fields on the epigenome and the reading behaviour of the genetic information of the genome. However, between these studies there were considerable differences with respect to

• which cells or animal species were examined
• how long the cells or animals were exposed to the fields
• which frequencies were used

Many studies also lack necessary quality criteria such as blinding or appropriate and reproducible exposure to fields. The results of these studies, some of which differ considerably, are therefore difficult to classify from the perspective of radiation protection. The performance of further, high-quality studies is thus necessary for further risk assessment.

What are the objectives of the BfS research project?

The first phase of the project is a literature review in order to summarise the existing studies and evaluate them according to defined quality criteria. In the second phase of the project, an experimental study will be conducted on specific cells in order to investigate possible changes caused by radiofrequency fields. Which cells are examined and the exact exposure conditions result from the literature study from the first phase, which is meant to verify possibly relevant observations of studies already conducted.