CTIA is soliciting proposals for next phase of research under its...

measuring exposure to radio frequency energy from wireless phones. Issues that may be examined include patterns of usage, duration of calls. transmission mode and analysis of exposure changes over time. CTIA and FDA had reached agreement on CRADA in June 2000 for follow-up on cellphone research. Last year, CTIA signed contracts for research under first phase of CRADA with FDA, as part of followup to issues raised by earlier study overseen by Wireless Technology Research and funded by CTIA over 5 years, which had become caught up in controversy and raised preliminary questions for further study. Last year, Sen. Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Rep. Markey (D-Mass.) had stressed need for changes in CRADA to ensure that CTIA followed FDA recommendations on specific research proposals and urging that independence of FDA judgment not be compromised (CD May 22/2001 p1). CTIA said Fri. that FDA “is responsible for the scientific and technical guidance of the research conducted.” Group said studies would be “conducted independently of CTIA and the wireless industry… Changes regarding the scope of work or the direction of research can only be made with FDA approval. Further the FDA will actively oversee the research through a series of regular reports and can request additional reports as necessary.” CTIA said scientists “will own their research,” although contracts require that final results be published in peer- reviewed, scientific journals.