cognitive difficulties. It found this explanation
was more likely than other previously
considered causes such as tropical disease or
psychological issues. The study did not name a
source for the energy and did not say it came
as the result of an attack, though it did note
that previous research on this type of injury was
done in the former Soviet Union.
In its report, the 19-member committee noted
that it faced significant challenges in trying
to get to the bottom of the medical mystery.
Among them, not everyone reported the
same symptoms and the National Academy of
Sciences research did not have access to all the
previous studies on the illnesses, some of which
are classified.
“The committee found these cases quite
concerning, in part because of the plausible role
of directed, pulsed radiofrequency energy as a
mechanism, but also because of the significant
suffering and debility that has occurred in
some of these individuals,” said committee
chairman David Relman, a professor of medicine
at Stanford University. “We as a nation need
to address these specific cases as well as the
possibility of future cases with a concerted,
coordinated, and comprehensive approach.”
The health effects were experienced by
about two dozen Americans affiliated with
the U.S. Embassy in Cuba as well as Canadian
diplomats and personnel at the U.S. consulate in
Guanghzhou, China, in early 2017.
Some of the Americans have been critical of
the U.S. government’s response to their health
complaints and at least one has filed suit against
the State Department.