Medicos preparing for Everest 'lab'
A 20-member team of British based medicos is preparing to carry out medical lab experiments on the slopes of South Col of Mt Everest, which they said would be the world's highest laboratory.
The medical research team of Xtreme Everest will make the first ever measurements of blood oxygen in the 'death zone', at altitudes above 8,000m where the human body has struggled -and frequently failed to survive-to find out effects on the human body in high altitude.
The team plans to take measurements of oxygen in arterial blood at extreme high altitude above 8,000 metres (26,000 feet) for the first time. It is anticipated that up to ten members of the team will summit Everest, one of the organizers Amanda Parkinson told Nepalnews via mail.
The Center for Aviation, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine (CASE) team of the University College London (UCL) will lead the expedition scheduled for May 2007.
The experts will measure the amount of oxygen in their own blood along with running tests to see how well their brains, lungs and metabolism are working at such extreme altitude. They have asked for 208 volunteers having good level of fitness for the 23-day expedition, Parkinson said. Volunteers desiring to taking part need to pay £2,395, which includes return flights from the UK to Kathmandu and another £500 for scientific research.
Team leader Dr Mike Grocott said conditions that will be helped by the research range from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to 'blue babies', cystic fibrosis, emphysema and septic shock.
The project will help the participants investigate many aspects of extreme altitude physiology including mountain illnesses and fluid on the brain and lungs, the organizers say, adding, "The project will track and compare the genetic profile of high altitude natives, lowlanders and summiteers to identify genes that aid survival in extreme altitudes."
The members of the team include cardiovascular geneticist Dr Hugh Montgomery, Dr Sundeep Dhillon, clinician Dr Roger McMorrow and diving expert Dr Denny Levett. Space expert Dr Kevin Fong and Dr Levett will also join the team. nepalnews.com ia Aug 16 06
