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Astronaut Edgar Mitchell Claims Alien Cover-up

Dr. Edgar Mitchell is a veteran of the Apollo 14 mission and he was the sixth man to walk on the Moon. Dr. Mitchell also insists that aliens have visited Earth and that governments are actively covering it up. "I happen to have been privileged enough to be in on the fact that we've been visited on this planet and the UFO phenomena is real," Dr Mitchell said. "It's been well covered up by all our governments for the last 60 years or so, but slowly it's leaked out and some of us have been privileged to have been briefed on some of it. "I've been in military and intelligence circles, who know that beneath the surface of what has been public knowledge, yes - we have been visited. Reading the papers recently, it's been happening quite a bit." Dr Mitchell, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering and a Doctor of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics claimed Roswell was real and similar alien visits continue to be investigated. He told the astonished Kerrang! radio host Nick Margerrison: "This is really starting to open up. I think we're headed for real disclosure and some serious organisations are moving in that direction." NASA issued a quick denial. In a statement, a spokesman said: "NASA does not track UFOs. NASA is not involved in any sort of cover up about alien life on this planet or anywhere in the universe. "Dr Mitchell is a great American, but we do not share his opinions on this issue." If Dr. Mitchell is correct about a cover-up than this is exactly the type of denial one would expect NASA to make. You can listen to the interview with Dr. Mitchell where he discusses the UFO phenomena here. Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds Read more…

Doubts Cast On Organophosphate Poisoning As Cause Of Gulf War Syndrome Depression

26.12.2006 19:45 Science - Source: ScienceDaily Headlines

Science Daily — Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health casts doubt on the belief that organophosphate poisoning causes symptoms of depression among Gulf War veterans and farmers, who are exposed regularly to these chemicals.

Several previous studies have found that people who are regularly exposed to organophosphates are more likely than the general population to have symptoms of depression, including irritability, difficulty concentrating and poor sleep patterns.

But these studies do not prove that organophosphates are responsible for these symptoms.

In a bid to look at the association more closely, researchers from the University of Bristol tested out the theory among older women between the ages of 60 and 79, who would not have been habitually exposed to organophosphates in the course of their employment.

The women were already part of a long term study of women's health, involving more than 4,000 participants from 23 British towns.

They were surveyed about their levels of depression, and blood samples were taken for genetic testing.

Because an individual’s genetic make-up (genotype) is randomly determined from their parents’ genotype at the time of conception, genes can be used to test whether a non-genetic factor (for example, organophosphates) causes a disease.

The PON1 Q192R gene comes in three versions (QQ, QR or RR) and individuals with the RR version tend to metabolise organophosphates more slowly than those with either of the other versions.

Several previous studies have shown that Gulf War Veterans and sheep dippers with the RR genotype had a higher probability of symptoms.

In agreement with this, the results from the new study found that women in the study with the genetic variant were significantly more likely to report depression than those without the variant.

But because these women had not been exposed to organophosphates, these new findings suggest that the association of this gene with depressive symptoms is unlikely to be explained by organophosphate poisoning, because the association is the same, irrespective of exposure to organophosphates.

In fact, the authors suggest that exposure to more mundane everyday toxins or activities, rather than the specific chemical hazards found in warfare and farming, are likely to have a role.

The authors also note that recent research has suggested that rather than slowing the capacity to clear organophosphates from the body, the genetic variant actually does the opposite and speeds it up, so minimising exposure.

The authors point out that their findings do not negate the biological basis theory of the Gulf War Syndrome, but suggest that reliance on genetic vulnerability studies in specific groups is 'perhaps misplaced'.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by University of Bristol.