BAE 1.2

Magazine Overview

Title: RATCHET PATROL
Issue: Volume 1, Number 2
Date: February 1990
Publisher: Ratchet Patrol
Country: Canada
Language: English
Type: Networking Newsletter

This issue of Ratchet Patrol, a networking newsletter for scientists interested in the UFO 'Abduction' Phenomenon, serves as a platform for discussion, research, and professional networking within this specialized field. The newsletter aims to foster a scientific approach to understanding abductions, moving beyond mere interest to rigorous data collection and analysis.

In This Issue:

The table of contents outlines several key sections:

• Editor's Corner (Forum 1): Discusses software problems affecting production, the ongoing debate about the newsletter's name, and the late arrival of material for this issue.
• Membership Criteria (Forum 3): Outlines the intended audience and qualifications for participation, emphasizing scientific contribution over simple interest.
• Networking (Forum 4): Introduces a new approach to networking by publishing biographical sketches of contributors, facilitating connections among professionals.
• What Are The Questions? (Forum 5): Presents questions contributed by readers for consideration in database design and investigation protocols.
• Treatment Issues (Forum 6): Focuses on developing a caring network for experiencers, including training for caregivers and support systems.
• Ethics (Forum 7): Addresses ethical considerations, particularly concerning the use of hypnotic regression in abduction research.
• Acceptance (Forum 8): Proposes a multi-stage strategy for achieving validation and acceptance of the abduction phenomenon within the scientific community.
• Other Forums (Forums 9-12): These are listed but their content is not detailed in the provided pages.

Editor's Corner (Forum 1)

Editor David Gotlib, M.D., apologizes for the format of issue #2, attributing it to software problems that are expected to be resolved for issue #3. He also addresses the newsletter's name, 'Ratchet Patrol,' noting mixed reviews from readers, with some finding it too harsh or obscure. He plans to keep the name until a consensus is reached and lists several alternative names suggested by readers, including 'Interface,' 'NewsNet,' 'Newsletter of Things You Don't See Everyday,' 'Collective Conscience,' 'AbNews,' 'The Virtual Community,' 'Vanguard,' 'Leading Edge,' and 'Cutting Edge.' The lateness of issue #2 is also explained by the late arrival of material in early February.

Membership Criteria (Forum 3)

Gotlib reiterates his stance on membership criteria, which were previously discussed in issue #1. Membership is intended for mental health professionals, UFOlogists, scientists from all disciplines, and legislators/policymakers. The core requirement is the ability to bring a skill or knowledge that enhances the scientific analysis of the UFO or abductee issue. Mere interest in the topic is insufficient justification for membership. While those interested in participating in the debate are valued, they might find other forums, such as Budd Hopkins' newsletter targeted at abductees, more appropriate. Subscription rates are $1 for a sample issue and $20 for a one-year subscription (12 issues).

Networking (Forum 4)

This section introduces a new networking strategy: instead of publishing a full mailing list, each issue will feature the names and addresses of individuals who have submitted biographical sketches to Ratchet Patrol (excluding those using pseudonyms). This approach aims to protect privacy while stimulating more professionals to share their backgrounds. The issue includes bios for:

• Margaret Powell (pseudonym): Possesses extensive psychobiological research experience in medical and psychological fields, with an active interest in UFO/Abduction topics.
• Kenneth Ring, Ph.D.: Professor of Psychology at the University of Connecticut, specializing in transpersonal psychology and near-death experiences (NDEs). He co-founded the International Association for Near-Death Studies and has authored books on NDEs. He became interested in abduction phenomena after reading Whitley Strieber's 'COMMUNION' and has conducted a 15-month comparative study of near-death experiencers and UFO abductees, with findings to be presented at conferences and in a forthcoming book, 'THE OMEGA PROJECT.'
• Leo Sprinkle: Retired Professor Emeritus of Counselling Services from the University of Wyoming. He is in private practice as a Counseling Psychologist, has assisted over 200 individuals in hypnosis sessions, and believes he experienced childhood encounters with entities on board alien spacecraft. He views the UFO phenomenon as an educational program to help humanity evolve into 'cosmic citizens.'
• Maralyn Teare, M.S., M.F.C.C.: Address provided.
• David A. Gotlib, B.Sc., M.D.: Address provided.
• Robert N. Sollod, Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Psychology at Cleveland State University. Address provided.
• R. Leo Sprinkle, Ph.D.: Address provided.

What Are The Questions? (Forum 5)

This section compiles questions contributed by readers for the development of the newsletter's database and investigation protocols. Previous questions included incidence and prevalence of abductions and risk factors. New questions from readership include:

• Documenting cases of disappearing pregnancies.
• Determining the prevalence of conditions like alcoholism, drug dependency, and anxiety disorders among abductees.
• Investigating the extent to which abductions cause the aforementioned disorders.
• Identifying the most effective treatments and interventions.
• Searching medical and psychiatric literature for unrecognized abduction reports.
• Analyzing the distribution of positive, negative (traumatic), and neutral experiences.
• Conducting case-control studies of abductees using hypnotic regression.
• Examining the effect on therapists who have had their own abduction experiences.

Treatment Issues (Forum 6)

The primary focus is on developing a 'CARING NETWORK' for experiencers. This involves:

• (a) Training: Improving the quality of care by sharing techniques and experience, and educating newcomers. An introductory package for new caregivers is being prepared, including a reading list, selected articles, and case studies, expected by the end of March. Continuing education for experienced professionals is also needed, with workshops planned on techniques for dealing with anxiety and panic, hypnotic techniques specific to abduction work, and sharing experiences. Preparatory work for these workshops is underway. Ultimately, a handbook for therapists and a companion handbook for investigators are envisioned.
• (b) Support System: Establishing a system to connect abductees with appropriate support, moving beyond personal networking. Ideas include an 800 number and a therapist directory, with a critical issue being quality control for inclusion in such a directory.

Ethics (Forum 7)

This section discusses a comment received on a draft Ethics document regarding the sentence: "Hypnotic regression for the sole purpose of retrieving abduction material, without a clinical reason to do so, is inappropriate." The comment argues that hypnosis can help healthy individuals explore their past and questions whether restricting its use drives people to untrained amateurs or hinders serious research. The editor counters with his experience, emphasizing the rule "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He recounts a case where a young man, seeking answers about his homosexual tendencies through hypnotic regression, experienced a false memory of being raped by his father, leading to increased anxiety. The editor suggests that such regressions, driven by curiosity rather than clinical need, can create new problems, especially when combined with suggestibility and leading questions.

Acceptance (Forum 8)

This forum addresses the need to remove the stigma from the topic of abductions to facilitate help for traumatized individuals and to access resources within the scientific community. It proposes a multi-stage strategy for achieving validation:

• Stage 1: Personal contacts and networking to find skilled individuals, allowing some to participate anonymously.
• Stage 2: Developing a joint investigation protocol by ufologists and other professionals, collecting hard evidence for a "scientifically convincing" case, and building a database.
• Stage 3: Professionals incorporating abduction research into their programs and submitting papers to professional journals.
• Stage 4: Encouraging qualified professionals to apply for funding from grant agencies.
• Stage 5: Gaining support from scientific/political/social leaders.
• Stage 6: A major university founding a UFO research institute.
• Stage 7: Achieving worldwide acknowledgement from a multinational, multidisciplinary community that "SOMETHING is going on," potentially leading to a delegation to the UN.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the establishment and professionalization of UFO abduction research. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of a rigorous, scientific approach, emphasizing data collection, hypothesis testing, and ethical considerations. The newsletter aims to bridge the gap between ufology and mainstream science by fostering a network of qualified professionals and developing standardized research methodologies. There is a strong emphasis on networking, training, and ethical practice to ensure the credibility and advancement of the field.

Title: UFO Forum
Issue: 11
Volume: 1
Date: March 1988
Publisher: UFO Forum
Country: USA
Price: $3.00
ISSN: 0895-0665

This issue of UFO Forum delves into several critical aspects of UFO research, focusing on data management, medical implications, and the ethical considerations for investigators.

Forum 9: A Common Database

This section addresses the fragmentation of UFO data, noting that while organizations like MUFON, CUFOS, and I.F. are developing their own computer databases for abduction phenomena, no central, compatible system exists. The article proposes the establishment of a working group, involving these organizations and the magazine's readership ('our own family'), to cooperate in designing standards for these databases. The goal is to ensure compatibility and facilitate information sharing. The group would help decide what information to include, such as case histories, demographics, psychological tests, questionnaires, medical data, tests, and photos.

Forum 10: Medical Committee

This forum emphasizes the importance of collecting medical records to build a scientifically credible case for UFO phenomena. It outlines the types of medical data that are crucial, including physicians' reports, test results, documentation of unexplained pregnancies and abortions, scans of suspected implants, photographs of skin lesions (like 'scoop marks'), changes in blood typing, and interpretation of advanced medical tests such as gene mapping and MRI. The section suggests that a team of medical doctors would be best equipped to obtain and interpret this data, making the formation of such a team a priority.

Forum 11: Electrical Effects

Contributed by Ken Ring, this section discusses Michael Shallis's book, "THE ELECTRIC CONNECTION." Shallis's work identifies a syndrome of "electrical sensitivity" in individuals who frequently cause malfunctions in electronic equipment. The article notes that people with this sensitivity often share traits such as a high proportion suffering from allergies, a history of psychic experiences (including paranormal healing), and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. A 15-month study involving nearly a hundred UFO experiencers and a control group found that UFO experiencers reported a definite increase in these factors, becoming more like "electrical sensitives." Interestingly, a similar effect was observed in near-death experiencers. The section poses a question about whether both types of experiences affect an individual's electromagnetic field and what might mediate this effect.

Forum 12: Investigator vs Therapist

This forum highlights a critical conflict between the goals of UFO investigators and therapists. The author strongly advocates for prioritizing the health, well-being, privacy, and integrity of the experiencer over data collection. The conflict arises because investigators may view hypnotic regression as data, while therapists must treat content as a metaphor for the patient's unconscious. When a therapist begins to treat regression as a data collection experience, rapport can be lost, reducing effectiveness. The article suggests solutions, such as a partnership between therapists and investigators, where therapists could tape record sessions (with patient permission) for later review by ufologists. It also notes that data gatherers often have to act as emotional supporters due to a lack of available, non-judgmental therapists, suggesting that investigators need training in this area and that a code of ethics for investigators would be beneficial.

Reader Contributions and Deadlines

At the end of the issue, readers are invited to submit their thoughts, comments on the issue's contents, areas for discussion, and suggestions for working groups. A call for a better name than "RATCHET PATROL" is also made. The deadline for contributions for the next issue is March 24. Information on subscriptions is directed to Forum 3, Membership Guidelines.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the professionalization and systematization of UFO research. There's a clear emphasis on the need for structured data collection (databases, medical records) and ethical conduct (investigator-therapist relationship). The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging collaboration among researchers and organizations, prioritizing the well-being of witnesses, and exploring the psychological and physiological effects associated with UFO experiences. The magazine actively solicits reader participation, indicating an inclusive and community-driven approach to understanding these phenomena.