In bioelectromagnetics the true mechanisms
responsible for the discovered sensitivity of organisms to various electromagnetic
fields (EMF) are as yet unknown. Even if there is a huge amount of data
concerning the biological effects of low intensity EMF on one side and
a lot of knowledge concerning EM properties of biological tissue on the
other, no one as yet clearly sees the causal connection (i.e. exact mechanisms)
between influencing EMF and living systems. This is the main reason why
standards for protecting from EMF are still mainly based on thermal effects.
One of the possibilities to come closer to the foundation of more suitable
standards is to develop, theoretically as well as practically, a new measuring
technology based on living systems. Thus besides measurements with technical
devices, which will give us physical parameters of the influencing fields,
we shall measure them also biologically in some general way. The biological
system will thus function as a biological sensor system (BSS) for detecting
low intensity EMF. The standardized system of such measurements could be
called The system for EM bioeffectometry. The main problems arising
before the foundation of such system are as follows: good biological knowledge
of organisms includes into BSS, comprehensive statistical evaluation of
BSS in normal EM environment, an identification of relevant biological
parameters to be measured in BSS, the proper identification of the dose
of EMF and knowledge of (normal) environmental EM fields. Each of these
problems needs specific consideration. As far as BSS is concerned, we must
know its biological rhythms, its behavior at different (EMF excluded) environmental
factors. Biological systems are very heterogeneous and also highly variable
and must thus be calibrated differently as technical measuring devices.
Since many EMF have effects only if organisms are in stress situation,
we should explore normal BSSs and BSSs under different stress conditions.
The definition of dose is also complicated: besides shape and intensity
the relevant parameters are also; the time of non-interrupted exposition,
the rhythm of exposition through the day, a month through the year, and
the orientation of the influencing fields. It is very important decide
at what level or repetition of statistically significant differences between
the influenced and non-influenced groups of BSS shall we acknowledge the
biological effect. To put all these ideas into practice we are trying to
develop such biological sensor system composed of germinating spruce seeds,
since they have proved to be quite sensitive to different EMF.