MMM I CAN FORESEE NS SLAVES BEING FORCED TO TAKE DRUGS IN THE
FUTURE! WHATS NEXT? NS SLAVES BEING USED AS GUINEA PIGS FOR
SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS?
Coffee lovers, the army wants you
Scientists hope to develop a caffeine pick-me-up pill for SAF
soldiers
By David Boey
DEFENCE scientists are looking for 'regular caffeine drinkers' to
take part in a study that they hope will lead to the development of
a special pill to keep soldiers alert in the field.
In what is believed to be the first extensive study of the effects
of caffeine on Asians, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore's
leading defence research and development organisation, will spend
three years analysing the natural stimulant, which is found in
foods such as coffee and tea.
The idea is that they will be able to reproduce the pick-me-up
feeling regular coffee drinkers enjoy in the form of a slow-release
pill enabling Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers to remain
vigilant even if sleep deprived.
Mr Fabian Lim, 40, head of the Military Physiology Lab at DSO's
Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, said:
'Several experiments will be conducted to understand the metabolism
of caffeine in the local population...and if these effects
translate into enhanced vigilance in the military context.
'DSO is also working on a pill that will maintain a sustained
release of caffeine, so that caffeine is made available in the body
over several hours.'
The idea of caffeine pills is not new. Studies carried out in
Europe and the United States have resulted in pills that delay the
onset of fatigue. 'In the US Army for example, caffeine is consumed
by their soldiers in the form of a chewing gum,' Mr Lim said.
But while caffeine pills can be bought off the shelf, DSO wants to
develop its own tailor-made concoctions.
DSO scientists will attempt to break new ground by experimenting
with caffeine pills of different potency. DSO's caffeine pills have
been specially blended in Singapore for the study.
The tiny burgundy-coloured pills hold anything from the equivalent
of half a cup of coffee to caffeine doses equivalent to two cups of
coffee.
DSO scientists will try different doses on people with varying body
weights, physical conditions and ages. The idea is to find the best
match for different Asian body types.
Scientific data on how caffeine affects Asians is scarce and DSO
wants to scrutinise the stimulant's medical and psychological
aspects to ensure the specially-blended pills are safe.
Anyone aged between 18 and 35 - an age window that DSO said is
'representative of the age group in the SAF' - can take part in the
study.
A DSO advertisement published in The Straits Times on Dec 7 has
netted about a dozen responses, but Mr Lim hopes at least 60 more
people will step forward.
DSO said it is targeting people who drink more than three
caffeine-based beverages a day. Volunteers will be paid, but DSO
said the amount is confidential.
The caffeine drinkers will be asked to stay at DSO's institute,
next to the National University Hospital, for 48 hours. The tests
will be repeated four times over a six-month period.
While at the lab, volunteers will be given capsules containing
different caffeine doses, ranging from the equivalent of half a cup
to two cups of coffee, then be asked to perform simple tasks to
test their reflexes and mental agility.
For more information, call Mr David Fun on 6485-7108 or e-mail
[email protected]