Rachelle Mae B.

Calvario August 29, 2019

BSA-1A Position Paper

Technology itself is a threat to human lives and to our physical environment. Innovations
and technological advances brought about by the information age brought positive effects in the
fields of communication, medicine, education, information access, and even in agriculture. The
discovery of modern technologies has made things more convenient to us. With the help of
technologies, we are able to educate ourselves by searching for information available online. Now,
location is not an issue if you want to communicate with your loved ones because of modern
devices such as cellular phones, laptop, and computers. You can now easily connect with them via
chat, phone calls, text messages, or even video calls. Also, modern technologies paved the way for
a more advanced medical treatment for patients. This includes the development of new medicines
and different methods on how to treat different illnesses. Furthermore, technologies also help
improve the efficiency of every business operation. Because of technological innovations, business
people can now easily reach their customers, market their products and services online, and make
business deals with other clients. This made possible with the use of 3G and 4G technology. These
are both networks that connect your phone to the internet. The “G” stands for generation. The 3G
network means third generation whereas 4G means fourth generation. But years after, another
network called 5G has boomed. 5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet
connectivity, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other
devices than ever before. The networks will help power a huge rise in internet technology,
providing the infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data, allowing for a smarter and more
connected world (McCann and Moore, 2019). Despite of the positive results brought about by
innovations and technological advances nowadays, widely use of 5G network should be prevented
for there are still negative effects that arise from these technologies.
Danger in our physical integrity. 5G represents a considerable hazard for the physical
integrity of humans and animals. As with previous cellular technologies, 5G networks rely on
signals carried by radio waves - part of the electromagnetic spectrum - transmitted between an
antenna or mast and your phone. In 2011, World Health Organization (WHO) classified mobile
communications in category 2B of cancer causing substances , thus as “potentially carcinogenic.”
According to Jessie Wingard (2019), around 250 scientists from around the world signed a petition
recently to the United Nations and World Health Organization outlining their concerns regarding
the 3G and 4G and broadcast antennas amongst other radio frequency emitting devices, may
produce cancer risks due to the electromagnetic field (EMF) radio waves they produce. Effects
include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages;
structural and functional changes of the reproductive systems, learning and memory
deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. However,
not only humans but also other living organisms are affected by exposure to electromagnetic fields
produced by smartphone devices and transmission towers. In fact, during the 5G test in Holland, at
least 298 healthy birds fell dead from the sky while more than a hundred starling birds fell dead
from the trees in Huijgenspark.
A threat to our lives and our freedom. According to Tom Wheeler, a former president of
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 5G revolution will affect every corner of our
country, what can be connected will be connected. Because of this network, a total surveillance
will be evident. 5G network can view or scan a wall of a house seeing what is inside it which is an
offense in the privacy and security of an individual or an organization. Privacy relates to any rights
you have to control your personal information and how it is used. Security, on the other hand,
refers to how your personal information is protected. Also, every moving points or things can be
tracked and observed. Thus, complete control over single person can be possible.
Environmental Impact. The 5G network is the most serious intervention in humanity. This
includes a massive infrastructural upgrade that 800,000 new transmitters will be needed in order
for the public to have an access in this network in Germany.
For 5G in urban areas, the providers have to install a strongly radiating mobile communication
antenna approximately every 100 meters. 5G has two fold consequences, microwave antennas are
present everywhere and there is a dramatic increase in the radiation intensity.
Although 5G network can increase the productivity and growth of an economy with the
faster connection that it offers, it can also bring harmful effects in our community in different
aspects. First, in health issues. Because 5G generates radio frequency radiation, it can damage
DNA and lead to cancer; cause oxidative damage that can cause premature aging; disrupt cell
metabolism; and potentially lead to other diseases through the generation of stress proteins. Also, it
can invade our privacy and control a single person completely. In addition, it has two fold
consequences, microwave antennas will be present everywhere and there will be a dramatic
increase in the radiation intensity.

References
McCann J. and Moore M. (2019).5G: everything you need to know. Retrieved from
https://www.techradar.com/news/what-is-5g-everything-you-need-to-know?
fbclid=IwAR24LTOjuTEhaIxo5wGz95JkdArPuObQUrMyXuzL7AtydVhWDSuucrXWE8M

Wingard J.(2019). 5G networks: Are they dangerous to our health? Retrieved from
https://www.dw.com/en/5g-networks-are-they-dangerous-to-our-health/a-47981285