A recent 5G research study on the effects of future signals on human skin cells was announced with great fanfare. It was quickly followed by attention-grabbing headlines claiming that the study proves—once and for all—that “5G is absolutely safe.” This post is a response to both the research paper and the surrounding media coverage.
A single swallow flying above abstract waves and digital signals, symbolizing caution in interpreting a single 5G research finding.
Illustration generated by AI using OpenAI’s DALL·E — conceptual design by EMFSA, 2025.
Framing the Narrative: discredit opposition without addressing substance
“This work is a thorough rebuttal to the myths, misconceptions, and conspiracies surrounding 5G networks.”
This kind of framing risks delegitimizing even well-founded or scientifically grounded concerns by categorizing them alongside fringe views.
Loaded Language & Certainty Overreach
Examples:
“Our results show with great clarity…”
“Absolutely nothing”
“We hope to close this debate…”
These statements go well beyond cautious scientific language. In high-quality research reporting, especially in fields with public health implications, phrases like “with great clarity” or “close this debate” are red flags. Science rarely “closes debates” based on one study—especially in complex, emerging fields.
Backward logic
“We devised a comprehensive experimental setup… to close this debate.”
This reflects circular reasoning: the null result is used to retroactively justify the method, rather than the method standing independently of the outcome.
Clarifying 5G Frequency Ranges
It is misleading to present findings from studies on millimeter waves (mmWave) as representative of all 5G frequencies. In reality, 5G includes a wide range of frequencies, each with different coverage and potential biological effects.
Most countries use mid-band 5G, particularly n78 (3.5 GHz), due to its balance of speed and range. Low-band (e.g., 700 MHz, n28) supports broad coverage, especially in rural areas, while mmWave bands like n260 and n261 offer high speeds but remain limited due to short range and infrastructure needs.
Regions such as China and South Korea also use bands like n79 (4.9 GHz) and n257 (26 GHz) to boost capacity. The C-Band (n77/n78) is becoming the global standard for its practicality.
In light of this, studies that only examine mmWave exposures—such as those at 26 or 40 GHz—cannot be taken as definitive evidence for the safety of all 5G technologies. Broader investigation across commonly used mid- and low-band frequencies is essential for a more complete understanding of potential health effects.
Study Relevance (According to the Authors)
- The rollout of 5G technology and the planned use of even higher frequencies have raised public concerns, particularly about potential cancer risks and genetic effects.
- Previous studies investigating health effects of radiofrequency radiation have been criticized for:
- Lack of blinded conditions,
- Inadequate temperature control,
- Limited transparency in statistical analysis.
- Lack of blinded conditions,
- This study aimed to address those criticisms through a rigorously controlled experimental setup.
- The researchers exposed two types of human skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) to high-frequency electromagnetic fields under worst-case exposure conditions.
- According to the authors, no significant changes were found in gene expression or DNA methylation patterns after exposure.
- They suggest these findings may help reduce public uncertainty about 5G by providing “well-founded facts.”
- The authors also propose that their statistical approach could be useful in other fields where demonstrating the absence of a biological effect is important.
An independent take on key nuances to be aware of
- The exposure duration was either 2 or 48 hours, which may not reflect real-life chronic, long-term exposure.
- Cell cultures in petri dishes are not equivalent to whole human biology—this model lacks the complexity of real tissues and systems.
- Only two cell types were used, both from the skin, even though 5G signals (including other than mmwaves) can penetrate deeper or affect neurological and immune systems indirectly.
It’s worth noting that the study used penicillin-streptomycin in the culture media. Emerging research shows that antibiotics in mammalian cell cultures—especially streptomycin—can affect gene expression and epigenetic regulation. This could introduce subtle confounders—particularly in transcriptomic analyses—where even minor gene expression shifts can be misinterpreted. For more on this topic: Antibiotic Use in Mammalian Cell Cultures – EMFSA
BERENIS on RF-EMF, ICNIRP Guidelines, and the Precautionary Principle
BERENIS, the Swiss expert group on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation, notes that evidence on health effects from RF-EMF in the millimetre wave (MMW) range (>5.8 GHz) remains limited and uncertain. Some studies suggest possible effects on learning and cellular stress, but data quality is poor and human or ecological studies are lacking. BERENIS recommends applying the precautionary principle and supports stricter guidelines for exposures above 6 GHz until more robust research is available.
This is an excerpt. Read the full statement here:
BERENIS – Swiss Expert Group on Electromagnetic Fields, Newsletter, May 2025. https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/en/home/topics/electrosmog/beratende-expertengruppe-nis-berenis/newsletter-of-the-swiss-expert-group-on-electromagnetic-fields-a.html
One study does not settle the science—just as one swallow does not make a summer. As 5G deployment continues, rigorous multi-frequency, long-term studies—free from media hype—remain essential for public trust and scientific integrity.
Independent analysts such as Einar Flydal and Microwave News have also questioned the framing and interpretation of the study’s findings.
- How to Bluff with Research: Alexander Lerchl Rides Again – Einar Flydal https://einarflydal.com/2025/05/24/hvordan-bloffe-med-forskning-alexander-lerchl-rir-igjen
- Alexander Lerchl – Microwave News archive https://microwavenews.com/news-tags/alexander-lerchl
References
- 5G Bands by Country: A Global Guide to Frequency Allocations [2025] – OneSDR
https://onesdr.com/5g-bands-by-country-a-global-guide-to-frequency-allocations - 5G wireless signals were extensively tested and the final verdict is out on their human impact – Earth.com
https://www.earth.com/news/5g-wireless-signals-are-finally-proven-to-be-completely-safe - Even if 5G penetrates a few millimetres into the skin, it is safe – Cosmos Magazine
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/internet/5g-safe-gene-expression - Jyoti Jyoti, Isabel Gronau, Eda Cakir, Marc-Thorsten Hütt, Alexander Lerchl, Vivian Meyer.
5G-exposed human skin cells do not respond with altered gene expression and methylation profiles.
PNAS Nexus, Volume 4, Issue 5, May 2025, pgaf127.
https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf127 - Most Rigorous Study Of Human Cells Exposed To 5G Strikes Blow At Common Conspiracy Theory – IFLScience
https://www.iflscience.com/what-happened-when-scientists-exposed-human-cells-to-5g-absolutely-nothing-79247 - Scientists Blasted Human Cells With 5G to See What Would Happen – Gizmodo
https://gizmodo.com/scientists-blasted-human-cells-with-5g-to-see-what-would-happen-20006025 - Study debunks 5G health conspiracy theory (again) – Popular Science
https://www.popsci.com/health/5g-conspiracy-theory-debunk - Take off your tinfoil hat: Exposure to 5G doesn’t alter your genes, new study finds – Android Authority
https://www.androidauthority.com/5g-study-human-cells-3558167 - Stay calm & keep scrolling: New Constructor University study finds no evidence of cell damage from 5G (Constructor University press release)
https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2025/05/14/stay-calm-keep-scrolling-new-constructor-university-study-finds-no-evidence-of-cell-damage-from-5g?groupcolor=1 - Constructor University Facebook Reel – “It is safe to use 5G…”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1115881970554429 - Constructor University on Instagram –
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJmCssECUPq/