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UAP Biological Effects

A documented category of physical and physiological harm reported by individuals who have had close encounters with unidentified anomalous phenomena, ranging from radiation-like burns to neurological injury.

Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program, Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) · Ongoing area of research · Matter

UAP biological effects refers to the range of reported physical and physiological harms — including radiation-like burns, neurological injury, and systemic illness — said to have been experienced by individuals following close proximity to unidentified anomalous phenomena. The subject has been studied within US government-affiliated programmes, most notably the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) and the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which examined witnesses for physiological changes resulting from UAP encounters.1 Luis Elizondo, a former US government official associated with both programmes, has stated that he reviewed bio-effects reports going back many years documenting medical consequences experienced by humans who encountered UAP technology,2 and that reports, photographs, and medical records collected over decades from across the world documented consistent effects on witnesses.3 The documented spectrum of effects reportedly touches all five senses and includes sleep disturbances, neurological symptoms, time distortion, and other phenomena.4 Researcher John F. Schuessler, associated with Robert Bigelow, is said to have compiled examples of civilian UAP biological effects dating back to 1950.5

Among the most extensively documented historical cases is the Colares Incidents of 1977 in Brazil Colares. Dr. Wellaide Cecim Carvalho treated approximately forty victims, most presenting with burns consistent with thermal or directed-energy exposure.6 In twenty-three fresh-wound cases she examined, two puncture wounds were found at the centre of each burn,7 and all twenty-three tested individuals had low haemoglobin levels.8 Journalist Robert Pratt documented that thirty-four residents reported irritated eyes, five experienced temporary blindness, and eight reported lasting vision changes;9 forty-one individuals suffered prolonged nausea and fifty-five reported extreme headaches.10 Fourteen victims entered a catatonic state for short periods and fifty-four suffered temporary paralysis;11 thirty-six reported chronic illness for years after their encounter, and ten of that group subsequently died.12

Civilian cases from North America have also featured in government-adjacent research. Following what Elizondo described as a December 1980 road incident in Texas — consistent with the Cash-Landrum Incident — two women’s symptoms reportedly progressed from headaches to severe skin burns, nausea, eye damage, lesions, exhaustion, hair loss, and loss of fingernails.13 One later developed severe cataracts and the other developed breast cancer.14 In a separate incident in August 2007 near Davis, California (see Davis California UAP Orb Incident 2007), a mother and daughter encountered three blue orbs on the road, two of which allegedly penetrated their vehicle;15 one orb reportedly passed directly through the older woman’s upper chest and exited her upper right arm.16 The woman subsequently experienced premature ageing, skin rashes, hair loss, blurry vision, hearing loss, osteoarthritis, and was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing a bilateral mastectomy.17 Military cases are also on record: John Burroughs, a US Air Force serviceman present during the Rendlesham Forest Incident, experienced a series of worsening health effects including vision problems, heart murmurs, and cardiac tissue scarring, culminating in heart surgery to correct damaged leaflets in his mitral valve.18

Within the AAWSAP/AATIP programmes, biological effects were not confined to the subjects studied. Elizondo stated that two of his colleagues were under medical care for both cutaneous and visceral injuries sustained from direct interactions with UAP,19 and that the injuries appeared to stem from a form of directed-energy exposure, resembling radiation.20 Multiple programme team members experienced severe biological effects resulting in life-threatening medical issues,21 with effects reportedly extending to their family members, including children.22 Neuroimaging analysis conducted in association with the programme found that UAP experiencers — including military and intelligence personnel — exhibited brain scarring consistent with white-matter disease, a finding with which Garry Nolan concurred.23 AAWSAP/AATIP medical researchers concluded that the severity of symptoms was influenced by the individual’s genetic circumstances and their proximity to the UAP at the time of the encounter.24 Research led by Will (AAWSAP physician) and Nolan additionally found that nearly all subjects in the AAWSAP studies shared Native American DNA, specifically Cherokee heritage — a finding discussed in relation to the Cherokee UAP Experiencer Connection and explored further through the UAP Caudate-Putamen DNA Study.25

Biological effects have been formally categorised within UAP research frameworks as a distinct observable. Harold E. Puthoff listed biological effects as one of six UAP observables alongside hypersonic velocities, instantaneous acceleration, low observability, transmedium travel, and anti-gravity propulsion;26 this categorisation is also discussed in the context of UAP Sixth Observable Biological Effects. One theoretical explanation, drawn from the UAP Warp Bubble Theory, holds that a UAP’s propulsion system blueshifts radiation outside the craft’s warp bubble, potentially exposing nearby witnesses to ultraviolet radiation, soft X-rays, or gamma rays.27 Elizondo has stated his opinion that UAP harm to humans is generally unintentional, analogising the phenomenon to the hazard of standing behind a jet engine during takeoff.28 On a policy level, the US government has reportedly awarded multiple servicemen 100 per cent disability status in writing due to medical issues arising from close encounters with UAP,29 and the late Senator John McCain was described as one of the first political figures to champion assessment and assistance for affected military personnel.30 Elizondo identified biological effects as a sixth UAP observable that had not been publicly discussed by the US government at the time of his writing, encompassing radiation burns, internal organ damage, and other documented medical issues suffered by service personnel and intelligence officials.31

  1. AATIP researchers studied people who reported physical effects from UAP encounters and examined them for physiological changes.
    “Researchers also studied people who said they had experienced physical effects from encounters with the objects and examined them for any physiological changes.”
    Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program (2017) paragraph 32
  2. Elizondo read bio-effects reports going back many years documenting medical consequences experienced by humans who encountered UAP technology.
    “I'd read the bio-effects reports going back many years. Many patients had had their lives ruined, both physically and psychologically, by UAP.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, paragraph 6
  3. Reports, photos, and medical records from across the world, collected over decades, documented consistent UAP biological effects on witnesses.
    “Reports, photos, and medical records from all over the world, over decades, all showed the same thing.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, paragraph 6
  4. Reported UAP biological effects touch all five senses and include sleep issues, nervous issues, fuzzy thinking, time distortion, and claimed development of psychic abilities.
    “The litany of complications reported touch upon all five senses, and beyond. Sleep issues. Nervous issues. Fuzzy thinking and time distortion are common. Some women insist that they became pregnant following UAP encounters. There are the 'usual' reports of abductions and implants. And some people insist that they developed some sort of psychic abilities following encounters.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, paragraph following August 2007 case
  5. John F. Schuessler, associated with Robert Bigelow, collected examples of civilian UAP biological effects dating back to 1950.
    “One of the early Bigelow researchers, John F. Schuessler, collected examples of civilian bio-effects dating back to 1950.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, paragraph following August 2007 case
  6. Dr. Wellaide Cecim Carvalho treated approximately forty Colares Incidents victims in 1977, most with burns consistent with thermal or directed energy exposure.
    “Dr. Carvalho treated about forty people in 1977. Most had burns consistent with exposure to either thermal or directed energy; the burns healed once the skin peeled off.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 2, paragraph 18
  7. In twenty-three fresh wound cases, Dr. Carvalho found two puncture wounds at the centre of each burn.
    “In the fresh wounds of twenty-three people, Carvalho noticed that the center of the burn displayed two puncture wounds.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 2, paragraph 18
  8. All twenty-three burn victims tested by Dr. Carvalho had low haemoglobin levels.
    “when she tested the victims' blood, she found that all of them had low hemoglobin, which suggested that their fear of the chupa-chupa was not completely unfounded.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 2, paragraph 18
  9. Robert Pratt documented that thirty-four Colares citizens complained of irritated eyes, with five reporting temporary blindness.
    “Thirty-four citizens complained of irritated eyes; five reported temporary blindness; eight reported a negative change in their vision.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 2, paragraph 19
  10. Robert Pratt documented forty-one Colares victims with prolonged nausea and fifty-five with extreme headaches.
    “Forty-one complained of a prolonged feeling of nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Fifty-five individuals reported extreme headaches.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 2, paragraph 19
  11. Fourteen Colares victims entered a catatonic state; fifty-four suffered temporary paralysis following encounters.
    “Fourteen people remained in a catatonic state for short periods following an encounter; fifty-four suffered a temporary paralysis in some part of their body.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 2, paragraph 21
  12. Thirty-six Colares victims reported chronic illness for years after their encounter; ten of that group died.
    “Thirty-six people claimed chronic illnesses plagued them for years after. Of that group, ten people died.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 2, paragraph 21
  13. After the December 1980 Texas road incident, the two women's symptoms progressed from headaches to severe skin burns, nausea, eye damage, lesions, and hair loss.
    “their symptoms moved swiftly from headaches to severe skin burns, nausea, diarrhea, eye damage, lesions, exhaustion, hair loss, and the shedding of their fingernails.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, December 1980 case paragraph
  14. One of the women from the December 1980 Texas incident later developed severe cataracts; the other developed breast cancer.
    “One woman later developed severe cataracts, the other breast cancer.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, December 1980 case paragraph
  15. In August 2007 near Davis, California, a mother and daughter saw three blue orbs appear on the road, two of which allegedly penetrated their vehicle.
    “A mother and daughter driving at night on a road near Davis, California, saw three blue orbs appear on the road. Two of the orbs allegedly penetrated the vehicle”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, August 2007 case paragraph
  16. One orb passed directly through the older woman's upper chest and exited her upper right arm.
    “one passed directly through the older woman's upper chest and exited her upper right arm.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, August 2007 case paragraph
  17. The older woman subsequently experienced premature ageing, skin rashes, hair loss, blurry vision, hearing loss, osteoarthritis, and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
    “the mother began to gain weight, experience premature aging, and develop skin rashes, hair loss, blurry vision, hearing loss, and osteoarthritis. Two years later, doctors diagnosed this previously healthy woman with breast cancer; she later underwent a bilateral mastectomy.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, August 2007 case paragraph
  18. John Burroughs experienced worsening health effects after the Rendlesham Forest incident, culminating in heart surgery to correct damaged mitral valve leaflets.
    “Burroughs later experienced a series of worsening health effects—vision problems, white gums, heart murmurs, heart tissue scarring—all of which culminated in heart surgery to correct damaged leaflets in his mitral valve.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, December 1980 second case paragraph
  19. Two of Elizondo's AAWSAP/AATIP colleagues were under medical care for cutaneous and visceral injuries sustained from interactions with UAP.
    “Two colleagues in particular were under medical care for both cutaneous and visceral injuries that were sustained from interactions with UAP while working with AAWSAP/AATIP”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 6, paragraph 15
  20. The injuries sustained by AAWSAP/AATIP colleagues appeared to stem from some sort of directed-energy exposure, almost like radiation.
    “The injuries sustained seemed to stem from some sort of directed-energy exposure, almost like radiation.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 6, paragraph 15
  21. Multiple AAWSAP/AATIP team members experienced severe biological effects resulting in life-threatening medical issues.
    “multiple members of our team (excluding myself) experienced severe biological effects resulting in life-threatening medical issues.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 6, paragraph 16
  22. Biological effects experienced by AAWSAP/AATIP team members extended to their family members, including children.
    “These biological effects also extended to their family members, including their children.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 6, paragraph 16
  23. Garry Nolan concurred with Will that all UAP experiencers whose MRI images were presented had suffered brain scarring known as white-matter disease.
    “Garry concurred with Will that all these people had suffered brain scarring. I was told that this is what doctors call white-matter disease because the scars appear as white in medical images.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, MRI finding paragraph
  24. AAWSAP/AATIP medical researchers concluded that the severity of UAP biological symptoms depended on the victim's genetic circumstances and proximity to the UAP.
    “We felt certain that the severity of the symptoms was determined by two data points: each victim's own set of genetic circumstances, and how close the victim was to the UAP or phenomena at the time of the event.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, biological effects analysis paragraph
  25. Harold Puthoff listed biological effects as one of six UAP observables on the whiteboard.
    “Hypersonic velocities? Check. Instantaneous acceleration? Check. Low observability? Check. Transmedium travel? Check. Antigravity? Check. Biological effects? Check.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 16, paragraph 3
  26. According to the warp bubble theory, radiation is blueshifted outside the UAP bubble such that witnesses may be bombarded with UV rays, soft X-rays, and possibly gamma rays.
    “When the propulsion system of a UAP is operational, it would behave like a giant radioactive power plant. It would be blueshifting visible light into dangerous territory for living tissue. Witnesses would be bombarded with UV rays, soft X-rays, and possibly gamma rays.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 16, paragraph on propulsion and radiation
  27. Elizondo opined that UAP harm to humans is unintentional, comparing it to standing behind a jet engine during takeoff.
    “Outside of an event like Colares, I would argue the harm is unintentional. Jet engines were never developed to be deployed as weapons, but if you stand behind one when a commercial airplane is revving up, you're going to be hurt—badly.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, deliberate vs. accidental harm paragraph
  28. The US government has awarded multiple servicemen 100 per cent disability in writing due to medical issues resulting from close encounters with UAP.
    “People would be surprised to learn that the US government has awarded multiple servicemen 100 percent disability, in writing, due to medical issues resulting from their close encounters with UAP.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, disability awards paragraph
  29. Senator John McCain was described as one of the first political champions to recognise the need to assess and provide assistance to military personnel with UAP-related health issues.
    “the late senator John McCain of Arizona was one of the first champions to recognize the need to assess and provide assistance to these individuals.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 10, disability awards paragraph
  30. Elizondo identified biological effects as a sixth UAP observable not yet publicly discussed by the US government, including radiation burns, internal organ damage, and other documented medical issues.
    “The sixth observable is not a flight characteristic and has not yet been discussed publicly by our government... many service personnel and intelligence officials who had UAP encounters have suffered biological effects as a result of their experiences. These include radiation burns, internal organ damage, and other very real and documented medical issues.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 12, paragraphs 40-41
  31. Will and Garry Nolan discovered that nearly all the people in Will's AAWSAP studies had Native American DNA, specifically Cherokee blood.
    “Most interesting to me was Will and Garry's discovery of the connection to Indigenous people of North America. It turned out that almost all the people in Will's studies—military and intelligence officials with remote-viewing abilities and/or UAP encounters and biological effects—had Native American DNA. Specifically, Cherokee blood.”
    Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs — Chapter 2 (image only) Chapter 14, paragraph 21

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