1984 09 00 OMNI - Freitas

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue: SEPTEMBER 1984
Volume: 02484
Date: September 1984
Price: $2.50
Publisher: OMNI
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of OMNI features a striking cover with the magazine's logo, a stylized globe containing a human-like head, and a list of intriguing article titles. The cover headlines hint at diverse topics including "BODY TIME LIVING CLOCKS THAT MAKE US TICK," "FASTER-THAN-LIGHT SPACE PHONES," "FREEBASING PERUVIAN STYLE," "REMICS FROM THE DAWN OF TIME," and "ALIEN ANIMALS & PSYCHIC POWER FOR HIRE."

Anti Matter: Medical Analysis of E.T.

The 'Anti Matter' section delves into a medical critique of the treatment received by the extraterrestrial character E.T. in the 1982 film. Physicians Jonathan Wasserberger and Gary Ordog, from the Charles R. Drew School of Medicine, argue that the medical team overseeing E.T. made critical errors. They contend that the team failed to recognize E.T.'s potential hypoglycemia, exacerbated by his consumption of a six-pack of beer, and neglected to administer glucose to correct his waning blood-sugar level.

Furthermore, Dr. Richard S. Weisman, director of the New York City Poison Control Center, points out that E.T.'s constricted pupils and bluish skin were early indicators of cyanosis (oxygen deprivation). Weisman suggests this should have alerted the physicians to the possibility of a narcotic overdose. He explains that while E.T. was not a drug user, mammals produce natural opiates called endorphins, and E.T. might have overproduced these to cope with the psychological trauma of being abandoned. The proper treatment, according to Weisman, would have been a narcotic antagonist like naloxone to counteract the internally generated drug.

In contrast, the film's medical procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, did not include glucose or naloxone. However, Alexander R. Lampone, director of the emergency department at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica and Spielberg's chief medical adviser, defended the treatment. He stated in a recent issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine that "E.T. received every drug known to our specialty in our resuscitation attempt," including glucose and naloxone. Lampone candidly admitted that "many of the drugs used, the correct dosages administered, and the procedures performed on E.T. were destined for the cutting-room floor." He also expressed uncertainty about how their pharmacological agents would interact with E.T.'s "photosynthesizing enzymes" and noted the difficulty of inserting an esophageal tube due to his "telescoping neck."

Despite the complexities of treating an alien, Weisman concludes that extraterrestrial patients with Earth-like physiology could likely be treated with current drugs. For truly unfamiliar life forms, he suggests following basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines until more data is available, but would resort to Earth-based treatments if the creature were in imminent danger.

UFO Update

The 'UFO Update' section, authored by Robert A. Freitas, Jr., continues the discussion on extraterrestrial medical care, reinforcing the challenges and uncertainties involved in treating non-human patients. The article highlights the need for adaptable medical approaches when encountering alien life forms.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of OMNI appears to blend scientific inquiry with speculative fiction and popular culture, as evidenced by the cover headlines and the detailed medical analysis of a fictional extraterrestrial. The magazine's stance seems to be one of exploring the frontiers of science, technology, and the unknown, often through a lens that bridges scientific plausibility with imaginative concepts. The 'Anti Matter' and 'UFO Update' sections suggest a recurring interest in extraterrestrial life and the scientific challenges it presents, even when framed through popular media like movies.