Medical team to conduct lab tests on Mt Everest

KATHMANDU: A 20-member British medical team will conduct experiments on the slopes of South Col of Mt Everest in northwest Nepal, touted as the world's first highest laboratory test.

The medical research team "Xtreme Everest" will reportedly make the first ever measurements of blood oxygen in the 'death zone', at altitudes above 8,000m - where the human body cannot normally survive without oxygen support- to know 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 for the first time. It is anticipated that up to ten members of the team will summit Everest, Amanda Parkinson, one of the team members said.

The Center for Aviation, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine (CASE) team of the University College London (UCL) will lead the expedition slated 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 function at such an extreme altitude.

They have asked for 208 volunteers having good level of fitness for the 23-day expedition, Parkinson said.

Team leader 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 track and compare the genetic profile of high altitude natives, lowlanders and summiteers to identify genes that aid survival in extreme altitudes."