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⚫ | '''Robert O. Becker''' ([[May 31]] [[1923]] − [[May 14]] [[2008]]) was a U.S. [[orthopedic]] [[surgeon]] and researcher in [[electrophysiology]]/[[electromedicine]]. He worked mainly as professor at Upstate Medical Center in [[State University of New York]], [[Syracuse (New York)|Syracuse]], and as Director of [[Orthopedic Surgery]] at the [[Veterans Health Administration|Veterans Administration Hospital]], Syracuse, New York. |
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{{notability|Books|date=October 2011}} |
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⚫ | '''Robert O. Becker''' ([[May 31]] [[1923]] − [[May 14]] [[2008]]) was a U.S. [[orthopedic]] [[surgeon]] and researcher in [[electrophysiology]]/[[electromedicine]]. He worked mainly as professor at Upstate Medical Center in [[State University of New York]], [[Syracuse (New York)|Syracuse]], and as Director of [[Orthopedic Surgery]] at the [[Veterans Health Administration|Veterans Administration Hospital]], Syracuse, New York. |
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==His research== |
==His research== |
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Having observed in his clinical practice that broken bones sometimes failed to grow together, he set out to study experimentally why, and if external physical conditions could improve the growth. He found that a [[Direct current|DC]] current through the broken bone (about 1 [[nanoampere]]) would greatly improve the growth and fusion of the bones. During this work, Becker found it significant that lower animals had much better [[Regeneration (biology)|regeneration]] capabilities: [[Salamander]]s could regrow lost limbs, while [[frog]]s seemed to be a little too high on the evolutionary ladder to achieve this regeneration. He studied these animals for years in order to find out why evolution caused impaired regeneration capabilities, and whether [[electric field]]s or currents could stimulate regeneration. His experiments and theorizing could be regarded as a continuation of the similar work of [[Harold Saxton Burr]]. Becker thought, like Burr, that some sort of [[Field (physics)|field]] encompassed the body, governing and stimulating regeneration. He found that an [[electrostatic field]], positive away from the limb stump, could enable regeneration of a frog limb. |
Having observed in his clinical practice that broken bones sometimes failed to grow together, he set out to study experimentally why, and if external physical conditions could improve the growth. {{citation needed|date=November 2011}} He found that a [[Direct current|DC]] current through the broken bone (about 1 [[nanoampere]]) would greatly improve the growth and fusion of the bones.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} During this work, Becker found it significant that lower animals had much better [[Regeneration (biology)|regeneration]] capabilities: [[Salamander]]s could regrow lost limbs, while [[frog]]s seemed to be a little too high on the evolutionary ladder to achieve this regeneration.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} He studied these animals for years in order to find out why evolution caused impaired regeneration capabilities, and whether [[electric field]]s or currents could stimulate regeneration.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} His experiments and theorizing could be regarded as a continuation of the similar work of [[Harold Saxton Burr]].{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} Becker thought, like Burr, that some sort of [[Field (physics)|field]] encompassed the body, governing and stimulating regeneration. He found that an [[electrostatic field]], positive away from the limb stump, could enable regeneration of a frog limb.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} |
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Becker ascribed regeneration capability to the existence of a [[cell nucleus|nucleus]] in the salamander's [[Red blood cell|erythrocyte]]. (The mature erythrocytes of frogs and higher animals lacked nucleus.) Erythrocytes with nuclei seemed to have the [[dedifferentiation]] capability required for later differentiating into the various cell types needed in the growth area. Becker described these studies in his 1985 book ''[[The Body Electric]]'', and also (condensed and compared with other fields) in the first part of his 1990 book ''Cross Currents''. |
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His newest and most efficient regeneration technique is based on [[iontophoresis]]: [[Silver]] [[ions]] are pulled into the [[lesion]] area by means of a positive silver [[electrode]] placed upon the wound. This would create a regeneration-inducing [[blastema]] in human tissues that would else have [[atrophy|atrophied]]. Becker patented this procedure in 1998, [http://rexresearch.com/becker/becker1.htm U.S. patent 70005556]. |
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==Electromedicine and electropollution== |
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Having discovered the physiological importance of electricity in the environment, Becker was deeply concerned with both the positive and negative effects of these influences. This is evidenced by the subtitle of the book in which he described (and speculated upon) these influences: ''Cross Currents. The Promise of Electromedicine, the Perils of Electropollution''. Regarding electromedicine, he had hopes for DC potentials and currents mainly for stimulating regeneration. He also believed in the value of [[electroacupuncture]], but only with weak currents. He was not concerned with the frequency aspect of the stimulation − in contrast to e.g. [[Royal Rife]] and [[Hulda Clark]]. |
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Becker was deeply concerned with electro[[pollution]], both in his research and when addressing the public. The commonly held opinion among western scientists is that electromagnetic fields and waves influenced living tissues only through heating them, but Becker was certain that also non-[[thermal]] effects are harmful, and was consequently in agreement with the much stricter safety limits established in eastern Europe. He asserted that the career and research finance problems he experienced in his later years were due to hostility from the electrical utility companies and the military, as he had sharply criticized the electropolluting activities of both. |
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He had the unsubstantiated belief that [[Electromagnetic_radiation_and_health#Electric_power_transmission|power lines are dangerous]]. |
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<ref>{{Citation |
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| last= Miller |
| last= Miller |
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| first= Stephen |
| first= Stephen |
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| date= 11 June |
| date= 11 June |
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| url= http://www.nysun.com/obituaries/robert-becker-84-raised-concerns-over-power-lines/79741/ |
| url= http://www.nysun.com/obituaries/robert-becker-84-raised-concerns-over-power-lines/79741/ |
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| accessdate= 06 June 2010 }} |
| accessdate= 06 June 2010 }}</ref> |
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==The Body Electric== |
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* {{Citation |
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:''A book on [[Kirlian photography]] by [[Thelma Moss]] has a similar title. See [[Body Electric]] for further meanings.'' |
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| inventor-last = Becker |
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| inventor-first = Robert O |
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| inventor2-last= Flick |
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| inventor2-first= A Bartholomew |
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| inventor3-last= Becker |
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| inventor3-first= Adam J |
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| publication-date= March 28, 1996 |
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| issue-date= September 29, 1998 |
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| title= Iontopheretic system for stimulation of tissue healing and regeneration |
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| country-code= US |
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| patent-number= 5814094 }} |
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'''''The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life''''' is a book by Becker describes his research into "our bioelectric selves".<ref>{{cite web | last=Howe | first=LM | title=British Cell Phone Safety Alert and An Interview with Robert O. Becker, M. D. | publisher=Council on Wireless Technology Impacts | date=2000-05-15 | url=http://www.energyfields.org/science/becker.html | accessdate=2009-02-09 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>{{dead link}} |
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* {{Cite video |
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| people= [[60 Minutes]] |
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⚫ | |||
| title= Stray Voltage |
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{{Reflist}} |
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| medium= television |
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| location= New York |
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| date= 29 May 1992 |
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| url= http://andrewamarino.com/media/60Minutes.mov}} |
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** see also [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CONSUMERS+POWER+RESPONDS+TO+%2760+MINUTES%27+STRAY+VOLTAGE+STORY-a012219680 Consumers Power responds to '60 Minutes' Stray Voltage story] |
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==Published works== |
==Published works== |
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;Books |
;Books |
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⚫ | |||
* ''[[The Body Electric]]. Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life'' (with Gary Selden). Morrow, New York 1985, ISBN 0-688-06971-1 |
* ''[[The Body Electric]]. Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life'' (with Gary Selden). Morrow, New York 1985, ISBN 0-688-06971-1 |
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⚫ | |||
* ''Cross Currents. The Promise of Electromedicine, the Perils of Electropollution.'' Torcher, Los Angeles 1990, ISBN 0-87477-536-1) |
* ''Cross Currents. The Promise of Electromedicine, the Perils of Electropollution.'' Torcher, Los Angeles 1990, ISBN 0-87477-536-1) |
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* ''Mechanisms of Growth Control,'' edited by Robert O. Becker. Thomas, Springfield 1981, ISBN 0-398-04469-4 |
* ''Mechanisms of Growth Control,'' edited by Robert O. Becker. Thomas, Springfield 1981, ISBN 0-398-04469-4 |
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;Selected papers |
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;Papers |
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A [[PubMed]] search gives 91 listings for Becker RO. The listings below are those for which Becker is first author. |
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*The electrical response of human skeletal muscle to passive stretch. BECKER RO. Surg Forum. 1960;10:828-31. |
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*A modified coaxial electrode for electromyography. BECKER RO, CHAMBERLIN JT. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1960 Apr;41:149-51. |
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*The bioelectric field pattern in the salamander and its simulation by an electronic analog. BECKER RO. IRE Trans Med Electron. 1960 Jul;ME-7:202-7. |
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*The bioelectric factors in amphibian-limb regeneration. BECKER RO. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1961 Jul;43-A:643-56. No abstract available. |
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*Search for Evidence of Axial Current Flow in Peripheral Nerves of Salamander. Becker RO. Science. 14 July 1961;134(3472):101-2. |
*Search for Evidence of Axial Current Flow in Peripheral Nerves of Salamander. Becker RO. Science. 14 July 1961;134(3472):101-2. |
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*The direct current control system. A link between environment and organism. BECKER RO, BACHMAN CH, FRIEDMAN H. N Y State J Med. 15 April 1962;62:1169-76. |
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*Longitudinal direct-current gradients of spinal nerves. BECKER RO, BACHMAN CH, SLAUGHTER WH. Nature. 17 November 1962;196:675-6. |
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*Relationship of geomagnetic environment to human biology. BECKER RO. N Y State J Med. 1 August 1963;63:2215-9. |
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*Electron paramagnetic resonance in non-irradiated bone. BECKER RO. Nature. 28 September 1963;199:1304-5. |
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*Photoelectric effects in human bone. Becker RO, Brown FM. Nature. 26 June 1965;206(991):1325-8. |
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*Bioelectric effects in tissue. Becker RO, Bachman CH. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1965 Nov-Dec;43:251-3. |
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*The control system governing bone growth in response to mechanical stress. Becker RO. J Ark Med Soc. 1966 Mar;62(10):404-6. |
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*Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of bone and its major components. Becker RO, Marino AA. Nature. 7 May 1966;210(5036):583-8. |
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*A method for producing cellular dedifferentiation by means of very small electrical currents. Becker RO, Murray DG. Trans N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar;29(5):606-15. |
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*The electrical control of growth processes. Becker RO. Med Times. 1967 Jun;95(6):657-69. |
*The electrical control of growth processes. Becker RO. Med Times. 1967 Jun;95(6):657-69. |
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*The trace elements of human bone. Becker RO, Spadaro JA, Berg EW. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1968 Mar;50(2):326-34 |
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*The electrical control system regulating fracture healing in amphibians. Becker RO, Murray DG. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1970 Nov-Dec;73:169-98 |
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*Stimulation of partial limb regeneration in rats. Becker RO. Nature. 14 January 1972;235(5333):109-11. |
*Stimulation of partial limb regeneration in rats. Becker RO. Nature. 14 January 1972;235(5333):109-11. |
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*Augmentation of regenerative healing in man. A possible alternative to prosthetic implantation. Becker RO. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1972 Mar-Apr;83:255-62. |
*Augmentation of regenerative healing in man. A possible alternative to prosthetic implantation. Becker RO. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1972 Mar-Apr;83:255-62. |
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*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1806700/ Electrical stimulation of partial limb regeneration in mammals]. Becker RO, Spadaro JA. Bull N Y Acad Med. 1972 May;48(4):627-41. |
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*The basic biological data transmission and control system influenced by electrical forces. Becker RO. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1974;238:236-41 |
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*Panel discussion: The role of electrical potential at the cellular level in growth and development. Becker RO, Cone CD, Jaffe LF, Parsegian VA, Pohl HA, Weiss L. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1974;238:451-6 |
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*Regeneration of the ventricular myocardium in amphibians. Becker RO, Chapin S, Sherry R. Nature. 8 March 1974;248(444):145-7. |
*Regeneration of the ventricular myocardium in amphibians. Becker RO, Chapin S, Sherry R. Nature. 8 March 1974;248(444):145-7. |
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*The current status of electrically stimulated bone growth. Becker RO. ONA J. 1975 Feb;2(2):35-6 |
*The current status of electrically stimulated bone growth. Becker RO. ONA J. 1975 Feb;2(2):35-6 |
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*Clinical experiences with low intensity direct current stimulation of bone growth. Becker RO, Spadaro JA, Marino AA. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1977 May;(124):75-83. |
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==See also== |
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*Treatment of orthopaedic infections with electrically generated silver ions. A preliminary report. Becker RO, Spadaro JA. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1978 Oct;60(7):871-81. |
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* [[Regeneration (biology)]] |
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*Electrical osteogenesis—pro and con. Becker RO. Calcif Tissue Res. 8 December 1978;26(2):93-7. |
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* [[Harold Saxton Burr]] |
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*The significance of electrically stimulated osteogenesis: more questions than answers. Becker RO. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1979 Jun;(141):266-74. |
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* [[L Field]] |
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*Electrostimulation and undetected malignant tumors. Becker RO, Esper C. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1981 Nov-Dec;(161):336-9 |
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* [[Electrotherapy]] |
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*Electromagnetism and the revolution in medicine. Becker RO. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1987;12(1):75-9. |
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*Silver ions in the treatment of local infections. Becker RO. Met Based Drugs. 1999;6(4-5):311-4. |
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*Induced dedifferentiation: a possible alternative to embryonic stem cell transplants. Becker RO. NeuroRehabilitation. 2002;17(1):23-31. |
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*Exploring new horizons in electromedicine. Becker RO. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Feb;10(1):17-8. |
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{{Persondata |
{{Persondata |
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|DATE OF DEATH= 2008 |
|DATE OF DEATH= 2008 |
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}} |
}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Becker, Robert O.}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Becker, Robert O.}} |
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[[Category:American medical researchers]] |
[[Category:American medical researchers]] |
Revision as of 16:51, 4 December 2011
Robert O. Becker (May 31 1923 − May 14 2008) was a U.S. orthopedic surgeon and researcher in electrophysiology/electromedicine. He worked mainly as professor at Upstate Medical Center in State University of New York, Syracuse, and as Director of Orthopedic Surgery at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Syracuse, New York.
His research
Having observed in his clinical practice that broken bones sometimes failed to grow together, he set out to study experimentally why, and if external physical conditions could improve the growth. [citation needed] He found that a DC current through the broken bone (about 1 nanoampere) would greatly improve the growth and fusion of the bones.[citation needed] During this work, Becker found it significant that lower animals had much better regeneration capabilities: Salamanders could regrow lost limbs, while frogs seemed to be a little too high on the evolutionary ladder to achieve this regeneration.[citation needed] He studied these animals for years in order to find out why evolution caused impaired regeneration capabilities, and whether electric fields or currents could stimulate regeneration.[citation needed] His experiments and theorizing could be regarded as a continuation of the similar work of Harold Saxton Burr.[citation needed] Becker thought, like Burr, that some sort of field encompassed the body, governing and stimulating regeneration. He found that an electrostatic field, positive away from the limb stump, could enable regeneration of a frog limb.[citation needed]
He had the unsubstantiated belief that power lines are dangerous. [1]
The Body Electric
- A book on Kirlian photography by Thelma Moss has a similar title. See Body Electric for further meanings.
The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life is a book by Becker describes his research into "our bioelectric selves".[2][dead link]
References
- ^ Miller, Stephen (11 June), "Robert Becker, 84, Raised Concerns Over Power Lines", The New York Sun, retrieved 06 June 2010
{{citation}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
,|date=
, and|year=
/|date=
mismatch (help) - ^ Howe, LM (2000-05-15). "British Cell Phone Safety Alert and An Interview with Robert O. Becker, M. D." Council on Wireless Technology Impacts. Retrieved 2009-02-09. [dead link]
Published works
- Books
- The Body Electric. Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life (with Gary Selden). Morrow, New York 1985, ISBN 0-688-06971-1
- Electromagnetism and Life. State University of New York Press, Albany 1982, ISBN 0-87395-560-9
- Cross Currents. The Promise of Electromedicine, the Perils of Electropollution. Torcher, Los Angeles 1990, ISBN 0-87477-536-1)
- As publisher
- Mechanisms of Growth Control, edited by Robert O. Becker. Thomas, Springfield 1981, ISBN 0-398-04469-4
- Selected papers
- Search for Evidence of Axial Current Flow in Peripheral Nerves of Salamander. Becker RO. Science. 14 July 1961;134(3472):101-2.
- The electrical control of growth processes. Becker RO. Med Times. 1967 Jun;95(6):657-69.
- Stimulation of partial limb regeneration in rats. Becker RO. Nature. 14 January 1972;235(5333):109-11.
- Augmentation of regenerative healing in man. A possible alternative to prosthetic implantation. Becker RO. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1972 Mar-Apr;83:255-62.
- Regeneration of the ventricular myocardium in amphibians. Becker RO, Chapin S, Sherry R. Nature. 8 March 1974;248(444):145-7.
- The current status of electrically stimulated bone growth. Becker RO. ONA J. 1975 Feb;2(2):35-6