Response from Joe Schwarcz to Magda Havas
From: Joe Schwarcz, Dr. mailto:joe.schwarcz@mcgill.ca
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 7:36 AM
To: mhavas@trentu.ca
Cc: email addresses deleted to protect privacy
Subject: Electrosensitivity
Hello Magda,
It is not often that I'm left speechless....but your response to Lorne Trottier's invitation to cooperate with us on electrosensitivity research almost accomplished that. But I think I can find a few words.
The allegation that Lorne's interest in electrosensitivity stems from his company's concern that the wireless equipment it provided McGill may be responsible for adverse health effects is simply absurd. An implied comparison to CEOs in the cigarette industry borders on slander. Matrox, Lorne's company, does not manufacture wireless equipment and has never provided McGill with anything. For this, you owe him an apology.
Lorne Trottier is a remarkable man who has a passion for science done right. Period. That is why both he and I would like to follow up on your studies about the relationship between electromagnetic radiation and health. As has been expressed, we question some aspects of the methodology and would like to set up an independent, unbiased, properly controlled trial, as we described in our letter. Obviously, rather than testing random volunteers, we would like to test the subjects you claim to have identified as suffering from this condition. Their expenses for travel to Montreal will be covered and financial compensation for their time will be provided.
We invite you to come to Montreal as well and ensure that the trial is run to your satisfaction. All your expenses will be generously covered. The trial will be double-blind, designed and monitored by Dr. David Langleben, head of cardiology at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital. Should the trial confirm your findings, we will publicize the results widely. Our sole intent is to identify and disseminate reliable scientific information. We are quite prepared to lend support to your cause should the trial's results so indicate.
We will also provide funding for any cardiologist you would like to invite to monitor the proceedings. You can supply your own RF measurement device, and Wi Fi transmitter. All we will do is ensure that the subject and cardiologist(s) in the test room are blinded to the EMF. We will use a professional electrocardiogram to measure the heart rate - not the amateur device you have described, which we have already purchased and tested. The "Nerve Express" heart rate monitor produces all kinds of artifacts and is not reliable. Surely if subjects such as Mr. Weatherall have clear and direct reactions to EMF, as your published data suggest, there should be no problem reproducing the results in our cooperative trial.
I am compelled to comment further on your unfounded allegations about Lorne's motives. Some simple Google searches will confirm that Lorne Trottier is one of Canada's major philanthropists. In addition to his gifts to McGill, he has also made major gifts to local hospitals as well as to environmental and science outreach organizations such as the David Suzuki Foundation and the Montreal Science Centre. He regularly supports Combined Jewish Appeal, Sun Youth, Red Cross, Save the Children and UNICEF.
I think it is quite apparent that Lorne Trottier's philanthropy is motivated by his passion for science and by a desire to improve the welfare of the public. To impugn that he has ulterior motives is misguided, to say the least. And if your true motive is to further science, you will accept our offer to confirm your results. We are set to provide national publicity both for our suggested cooperation and for the results of our experiments. Whatever the outcome, science stands to benefit. We are looking forward to your suggestions about time frame so that we can issue a press release.
Joe Schwarcz PhD
Director, McGill Office for Science and Society
801 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, QC
H3A 2K6
514-398-6238