UFO Potpourri No 353

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: no. 353
Volume: 709
Date: 18/292 (interpreted as January 1992)
Publisher: MUFON UFO JOURNAL
Document Type: Magazine Issue

The Implant Puzzle

The main focus of this issue is the "Implant Puzzle," a topic that has generated considerable interest and debate. The author recounts receiving interesting responses to a speculative article titled "The Implant Enigma," published approximately 16 months prior. While some individuals were upset by the article's speculative nature, others were encouraged to engage in dialogue and seek answers.

One man, presenting X-rays of his nasal passage, believed he had found proof of an implant. However, an investigation revealed it was merely a 'marker' placed by a technician during the X-ray process. Another individual submitted laboratory analysis results of a suspected implant, which the author describes as "quite puzzling."

Editor's Letter: Stuart Appelle's Critique

A significant portion of the content is a letter from Stuart Appelle, Ph.D. of Brockport, N.Y., addressed to the Editor of the MUFON UFO JOURNAL, intended for publication in the January 1991 issue. Appelle critiques an article by John Schuessler, "The Implant Enigma" (June 1990), which suggested that a structure found in amniotic fluid during a routine chromosome preparation might be an alien implant.

Appelle notes that Schuessler urged researchers to "take the implant issue seriously." He points out that subsequent issues of NATURE (Vol. 323, Sept. 25, 1986, pg. 300) provided mundane explanations for the structure, interpreting it as a diatom skeleton. Appelle criticizes Schuessler for "sloppy articles and sloppier research" and for presenting an incomplete and misleading picture.

Appelle further elaborates that while the October 23 and October 30, 1986 issues of NATURE mentioned the object and its interpretation as a diatom skeleton, this was an opinion, not proof. He highlights that the December 25, 1986 issue of NATURE offered additional explanations: a "fragment of tubular myelin" and an "area of meshwork of the nuclear lamina." An even later explanation, appearing in the January 22, 1987 issue, suggested a contaminant originating in the fabrication of semiconductors.

J. Wolstenholme's Perspective

Appelle also discusses J. Wolstenholme, who originally reported the "mystery object amid the chromosomes." Wolstenholme reportedly indicated that the various explanations did not adequately describe the object in question and rejected an extraterrestrial explanation, despite it being the majority view among readers who responded to him.

Appelle contacted Wolstenholme, who, as of July 26, 1990, still lacked a convincing explanation. Wolstenholme believed the object was likely an artifact from the laboratory environment, reagents, or equipment. He reported that the object had been sent for further analysis elsewhere.

Schuessler's "They Missed the Point" Argument

John Schuessler, in a section titled "They Missed the Point," argues that Wolstenholme's artifact is likely unrelated to alien implants in humans. Schuessler refers to "The Implant Enigma, Part II," written before the first part was published, where he stated that the object in question was much smaller than alleged UFO implants and was found in a laboratory setting. His point was that scientists routinely identify anomalies, and similar techniques should be applied to locating and identifying UFO artifacts within the human body.

Schuessler contrasts those who "spend their time challenging the words written by the active researchers" with "doers" who work directly with patients and their implants. He names David Pritchard, David Jacobs, John Altshuler, and Budd Hopkins as examples of these "doers" who are expected to provide real answers.

Unusual Questions

The issue concludes by posing "unusual questions" received in response to "The Implant Enigma," presented as they were received to elicit further discussion:

• What causes the scoop marks found on abductees' bodies? Was the flesh used elsewhere on the body to repair areas where implants were inserted?
• Has anyone tried having a psychic surgeon remove an implant?
• Originally, it was believed that implants were spherical BB-like objects. In reality, many of the alleged implants have been irregular shaped objects. Have any BB-like implants been found?
• What is the purpose of the small wire-like protrusions found on recovered implants?

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the scientific investigation and skeptical analysis of alleged alien implants. The editorial stance, particularly through the inclusion of Appelle's letter and Schuessler's own clarification, leans towards seeking conventional, evidence-based explanations for phenomena, while acknowledging the ongoing work of researchers directly involved with abductees and alleged implant cases. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous scientific methodology and a caution against "wild speculation."