In the 1980s, Watson identified a group of investigators who agreed to testify as experts on his behalf in cases involving health risks due to electromagnetic fields. He concentrated on individuals affiliated with prestigious institutions, and his biggest success was his recruitment of Stuart Aaronson, one of the most cited investigators in the United States in the area of molecular virology.
Aaronson became an expert in the EMF area in contemplation of specific litigation in New York, a condemnation case involving the construction of a high-voltage powerline. The legal procedure in the case involved the filing of a written report, followed by testimony in open court. In his report (Molecular and Cellular Biological Effects of Power Frequency Electric and/or Magnetic Fields), Aaronson gave his reasons for concluding "there is no scientific basis for concluding that power-frequency electric and magnetic fields induce any consistent effects on cell growth properties in culture or in vivo that are associated with the acquisition of malignant properties." Subsequently, on October 12, 1988, Aaronson gave oral testimony.
A perusal of the direct examination of Aaronson, conducted
by Watson, will reveal how Watson uses his experts to support his client's
position. Note that Watson's opposing counsel was vastly overmatched, and
consequently did not conduct a meaningful cross-examination of Aaronson.
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