The NIDS site presently offers two meaty reports. One, by chemist James
Whitney at West Texas A&M University, compares loss of consciousness
reports in healthy humans with those occurring in Near Death Experiences
(NDEs). The other is an impressive multi-part material analysis of the
so-called "alien implants" removed from two "abductees" by California
podiatrist Roger Leir. Though analyst Paul Fuierer of the Materials
Engineering Department at New Mexico Tech in Socorro reaches no conclusion
in the report, he does provide a "letter of opinion" as to what the samples
might be. There is no mention of aliens.
The final verdict--and scientific worth--of NIDS will have to wait,
however. The Institute, which is funded by Las Vegas real-estate tycoon Bob
Bigelow, is certainly being cagey about its activities. When asked about
staff, budget, upcoming research, and whether the various rumors about NIDS
were valid--including those questioning the founder's long-term commitment
to the Institute--retired Army Colonel John Alexander, who is apparently
the Institute's "scientific liason," replied: "Bob is the founder and
president. It is a private research organization and has no plans for
releasing budget or project information. We will release data once it has
been reviewed for scientific validity. In many cases we will provide
results without comment. [NIDS] is designed to go into perpetuity. Most of
the rumors are flat wrong."
Science normally snubs its nose at unconventional subjects like UFOs and
survival after death. But the new National Institute for Discovery Science
(NIDS) in Las Vegas aims to change all that. It hopes to apply the most
rigorous scientific methods and the highest of ethical standards in its
pursuit of the truth that's out there. And on the evidence of
reports the Institute has now made available--only online--we'll give them a
thumbs up for their efforts.