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	An interesting example of bias against innovation is
the attack by Consumer's Union and Ralph Nader on microwave
ovens.  Microwave
ovens began to be produced in the 1960s, but came to the attention
of these organizations around 1971.  I remember more about Consumer's
Union, because I subscribed to their magazine.  Towards the end of
1972 they had an article advising their readers not to buy microwave
ovens because of a danger of radiation leakage.  Damage to humans
and animals from heating by microwave radiation had been known since
World War II and stringent safety standards had been adopted.  The
allowed leakage from microwave oven was many thousands of times lower
than the lowest amount that produced damage, and interlocks were
required to prevent operation of the oven with the door open.  No
damage from ovens with these safeguards had ever been known to occur
in several years of widespread use.

	Nader and Consumer's Union were unsuccessful, and the use
of microwave ovens increased.  About five years later, Consumers
Union had another article on microwave ovens.  They compared the
brands for cost and durability, but still grumbled about the
radiation danger.  They suggested that children
not be allowed to use the ovens.  Ten years after their original attack,
they still haven't reversed their position.
	
	However, they didn't mention fact that just
as many meals are be cooked whether microwaves are used or not,
and conventional cooking is one of the most dangerous activities
in the home, especially for children.  Open flames set fire to
clothing and draperies.  Forgetting to turn off appliances causes
fires also.  (Microwave ovens all have timers that turn them
off automatically).  Ordinary ovens don't have interlocks that
keep you out while they're on.  Children are always scalding or
burning themselves by pulling pots off the stove.  These
dangers aren't theoretical; thousands of cases occur each year.
According to the %2Statistical Abstract of the United States%1 about
half of the 6000 fire deaths per year involve cooking or heating
in the home.

	Unfortunately, opponents of an innovation rarely see any reason
to discuss the dangers of the conventional alternative.

	
	Consumer's Union's attack on microwave ovens is an interesting
example of bias against innovation.  

	An interesting example of bias against innovation is the
Consumer's Union opposition since 1971 to microwave ovens without
comparing the hypothetical danger that microwatts of leakage might
harm people to the statistics of the hundreds of people killed and
injured every year in conventional cooking.