-Caveat Lector- from the Seattle Post-intelligencer Research creates army of the future Biotechnology used for super foods and 'smart' uniforms Friday, July 6, 2001 By REX W. HUPPKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Trudging through a thick, muggy jungle, the soldier remains cool, her body temperature precisely controlled by her uniform. Incapable of seeing more than 10 feet ahead, she is guided through an earpiece in her helmet by someone at base camp who can trace her because a biomarker was in a nutrition bar she ate earlier. An alarm in her wristwatch goes off, detecting the presence of a toxic chemical agent. The visor on her helmet drops down, and the uniform that monitors her vital signs administers the drugs necessary to keep her safe and enable her to complete her mission. It's science fiction so far. But a study performed for the Army says advancements in biotechnology may soon turn such fiction into fact. The study was conducted by 16 leading academic and industry scientists from across the country. It attempts to predict how biotechnology will develop over the next 25 years and highlights areas that might benefit the Army. The ideas in the study range from genetically engineered foods that don't spoil and provide added nutrition, to uniforms that can detect and treat wounds. James Valdes, a scientific adviser at the Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command in Maryland, said over the past five years the Army has started forming more partnerships with industry and academic labs to keep abreast of developments in biotechnology. "Big companies don't want to make the kind of stuff we need because the profit margins aren't there," Valdes said. "So we have to sort of very selectively go after the research areas that are uniquely applicable to the Department of Defense." Such areas include: creating lightweight materials to reduce the load of the current soldier's roughly 90-pound rucksack; coating helmets with substances that absorb solar energy to power in-field computers; and developing systems that make fuel using plants or even food wrappers and used cloth. Rashid Bashir, a Purdue University researcher not involved in the study, is developing 1-centimeter-square sensor chips that could someday help soldiers detect chemical hazards on the battlefield. The sensors, which could fit in a wristwatch, are basically micro-laboratories that analyze particles in the air. "I think most of these things are in the five- to 10-year time frame," Bashir said. "Many are in the idea stages, but others have already proven their feasibility." <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
