Washington Beat

Cell Phone Lawsuit Thrown Out

by Laura Quarantiello <lauraq@cts.com>

A U.S. District Court Judge has thrown out a lawsuit alleging that cell phone use was the cause of a Maryland man’s brain cancer. Judge Catherine Blake, who stated that Dr. Christopher Newman’s attorneys had provided “no sufficiently reliable and relevant scientific evidence in support of either general causation or specific causation,” dismissed the $800 million suit against the wireless industry. The decision is the result of an evidentiary hearing held in February 2002 to determine whether the opinions offered by the plaintiff’s expert witnesses could meet the Daubert standard established by the United States Supreme Court in 1993. Daubert sets the type of scientific evidence allowed in federal courts. Gratified by the judge’s decision, the Cellular Telecommunications & Inter-net Association said,

The theories put forth by the plaintiffs are at odds with the repeated conclusions of the worldwide scientific community. This is not the first time a judge has been confronted with similar claims and found them not to meet the legal tests regarding the admissibility of the scientific evidence. Today’s decision is consistent with the overall judgment of the international scientific community that the use of mobile phones does not play any role in brain cancer or any other known health disease.

Newman’s attorney, Joanne Suder, said she will file another lawsuit when new evidence becomes available.\

Ham Appointed To House Subcommittee

Oregon Republican Congressman Greg Walden, WB7OCE, has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Walden is one of only two amateur radio operators in the U.S. House of Representatives. His appointment was announced by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA), as follows:

With his extensive background in broadcasting, Greg has a world of experience and expertise in telecommunications issues. His knowledge of the issues will help the Subcommittee address digital television, spectrum management, broadband deployment and other telecommunications matters.

Walden is perhaps best known among hams as one of the original cosponsors of HR 4720, a pending bill that will provide relief to amateurs faced with private deed covenants, conditions, and restrictions in erecting antennas. Prior to his current appointment, Walden worked on the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2000 and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection dealing with issues of consumer privacy, accounting standards, and electronic commerce.
 

Return to January 2003 Highlights Page