Head of prominent cancer research institute issues cell-phone warning

The age-old debate over whether cell phones cause cancer has reared its ugly head again as Dr. Robert Herberman, director of the prominent University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, issued an unusual warning to some 3,000 faculty and staff, urging them to limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer. The warning is contrary to several studies that have said no link exists between the two, but Herberman said he is raising the alarm because of early unpublished data, and it takes too long to obtain answers from science and believes people should act now, especially children.

"Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later," Herberman told the AP. No other major academic cancer research institutions have issued such a warning.

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