Biological Systems in Transition: Sensitivity to Extremely Low-Frequency Fields

Abstract

It has been suggested for some time that cells “far from equilibrium” may be the most sensitive to applied extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. The problem with this statement is that it is nearly impossible to quantify these words as they apply to a biological system in such a way that the definition can become part of a mechanistic model. It is apparent, however, that the physiological state of the biological system being exposed to ELF fields is important. A review of the literature allows one to identify many studies that have involved the simultaneous exposure of “normal” and “healing” cells to ELF fields (such as normal bone and flesh at a non-union fracture site), with the result being that only the “healing” cells were measurably affected by the applied fields. The nonunion fracture in bone may be one example of where the state of the biological system (bone) can be quantified. It is also apparent that the physiological state of the system must be important in the ELF-biological system interaction since, for example, it would be surprising if an ELF field could increase biological activity that was already proceeding at the maximum rate. This paper examines the physiological state of the biological system and its importance in forming a mechanistic model of the interaction between ELF fields and the system.