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The Sanguine Biological-Ecological Research Program

No Effects Found

Marlet H. Benedick, Bernard Greenberg · 1974

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Navy-funded 1974 research found no biological effects from low-level ELF fields, but institutional bias and outdated methods limit conclusions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1974 Navy-funded review examined multiple laboratory and field studies testing whether extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields from the military's Sanguine communication system affected various organisms, from bacteria to primates. The researchers found no biological or ecological effects from exposure to field levels of 0.07 V/m electric and 0.2 G magnetic fields. This comprehensive research program was initiated by the Naval Electronic Systems Command to assess potential environmental impacts of their underground antenna system.

Cite This Study
Marlet H. Benedick, Bernard Greenberg (1974). The Sanguine Biological-Ecological Research Program.
Show BibTeX
@article{the_sanguine_biological_ecological_research_program_g5842,
  author = {Marlet H. Benedick and Bernard Greenberg},
  title = {The Sanguine Biological-Ecological Research Program},
  year = {1974},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The Sanguine system generated extremely low frequency fields of 0.07 V/m electric and 0.2 G magnetic at ground surface directly above buried antennas. These levels are relatively low compared to many household EMF sources today.
The research program tested a broad spectrum from bacteria and slime molds to primates, examining everything from cellular enzymes to complex mammalian behavior patterns to assess potential biological impacts.
The Sanguine Division of Naval Electronic Systems Command initiated their biological and ecological research program in 1969 to determine whether their ELF communication system could affect living organisms.
The Navy needed to assess potential biological and ecological impacts of their underground ELF antenna system before full deployment, conducting studies to validate the safety of their communication technology.
The tested levels of 0.07 V/m electric and 0.2 G magnetic fields are actually lower than many current household sources like appliances and power lines that generate stronger EMF exposures.