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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…

Gene Mutation Which Prevents Carriers From Feeling Pain Discovered

15.12.2006 03:54 Science - Source: ScienceDaily Headlines

Researchers have discovered a gene mutation which prevents the otherwise healthy carriers from sensing pain, after studying three related families with a rare genetic disorder in northern Pakistan.

The research, published today in the journal Nature, provides insight into the mechanics of pain and could lead to the development of more effective pain treatments.

The carriers of the very rare genetic mutation are unable to perceive any form of pain but have otherwise completely normal sensory functions. The initial case study was a ten-year-old street performer in Pakistan with the genetic mutation. His inability to feel pain enabled him to place knives through his arms and walk on burning coals. (The young boy died before his fourteenth birthday from injures sustained after jumping off a roof.)

The scientists subsequently studied six individuals with the genetic mutation from three related families, all originating from northern Pakistan. The six relatives had not experienced pain at any time in their lives. Detailed neurological examinations revealed that there was no evidence of motor or sensory disease, and that they could perceive a number of sensations (including touch, warm and cold temperature, tickle and pressure).

As pain is a survival mechanism which enables organisms to minimise damage to tissues, they had all sustained a variety of injuries, including injuries to their lips and/or tongue from biting themselves when young.

By studying these individuals, the scientists were able to determine that a mutation in the gene SCN9A causes a loss of function in the voltage-gated sodium channel it encodes (subunit Nav1.7). Sodium channels are proteins which excite neurons, and though the precise function of Nav1.7 is unclear, as part of a sodium channel it would play a role in exciting sensory neurons.

Dr Geoffrey Woods, from the Department of Medical Genetics and the University of Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR), said, "This paper shows that rare diseases can still be of great importance, because of the insights they give into biological and developmental processes".

Dr John Wood, from University College London, said, "The work of Geoff Woods and his team has provided us with an exciting new target for pain killing drugs - potentially this is as important as the identification of the morphine receptors. It is fascinating that this same gene, when mutated to encode a hyperactive channel, has also been found to contribute to ongoing pain in some heritable human disorders".

As individuals with mutations in the gene SCN9A are otherwise healthy, the scientists are hopeful that the development of drugs that prevent Nav1.7 from functioning could be used as new and potentially safer pain medications.

The collaborative study, spearheaded by academics at the University of Cambridge, included researchers from a number of Pakistani and UK institutions (including University College London) and was funded in part by the Wellcome Trust.