![]() ![]() The consortium will also be looking at ways of improving the performance of combat personnel in hot climates such as Iraq, to cut down the amount of time, currently about a week, needed for them to acclimatise. She said the MoD was also funding research into "human science", including the enhancement of the physical and mental performance of combat personnel.Īmong other things, scientists are investigating new dietary supplements and remote monitoring technology, allowing soldiers' physical performance to be tracked in the field. "It is worthy of further research," she told the BBC News website.Įphedrine, which is similar in effect to amphetamine or "speed", had so far been ruled out for use by British combat personnel due to its side effects, which included anxiety.īut caffeine was "something we may well end up using in the future," she added. It had not yet been approved for use by British soldiers but Qinetiq had asked the MoD for funds to carry out further tests, she said. Speaking after Wednesday's hearing in Westminster, Dr Casey said Modafinil had recently been tested by Qinetiq, formerly known as the Defence Research Agency. In the US, where it is easier to get hold of, revising students and clubbers are known to use it to keep going. Its makers say there are no side effects, but experts are worried about the drug being abused. It works by "turning off" a person's need to sleep, and allowing them to remain mentally awake for days on end. Modafinil has also been trialled by the US and French military but its use remains controversial. We are keeping an open mind," she told the MPs. "There is still research going on into things like that. She stressed that no illegal substances were being researched by the MoD.īut she said Modafinil had been "shown to enhance physical and mental performance". She said the military was not under the same constraints as the International Olympic Committee, which had banned Modafinil and another stimulant, Ephedrine, which she said had also been tested by the MoD.īut Erythropoietin, or EPO, which is used by athletics drug cheats to boost the production of red blood cells had been ruled out due to "safety concerns". "One is always looking for something that would give military personnel an extra edge," she told the committee which is investigating the use of such drugs in sport. Qinetiq scientist Dr Anna Casey told the Science and Technology Committee the MoD funded research into stimulant and performance-enhancing drugs and dietary supplements. The Ministry of Defence reportedly stockpiled thousands of pills ahead of the Iraq war but they have never been given to combat personnel.ĭefence contractor Qinetiq told the commons' science committee the drug had recently been tested for military use. Modafinil pills - known on the drugs scene as "zombies" - are used to treat the rare sleeping disorder narcolepsy. It does not store any personal data.Special forces sometimes have to stay awake for 48 hours or moreĪ controversial drug which can keep people awake for days has been tested by the UK military, MPs have been told. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. ![]() The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |