Natasha Demkina (Russian: Наталья Демкина) (1987–), is a teenager from Saransk, Russia, who claims to possess a special vision that allows her to look inside human bodies and see organs and tissues, and thereby make medical diagnoses. Since the age of ten, she has performed readings in Russia and in 2004, on television shows in the United Kingdom.
Appearance in New York
In May 2004 she was brought to New York City by the Discovery Channel to appear on a documentary entitled The Girl with X-Ray Eyes, Administrator note and carry out a reading under controlled conditions. The test was arranged by Ray Hyman and Richard Wiseman of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) and Andrew Skolnick of the Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health (CSMMH). The test required Demkina to identify volunteers against specified medical conditions.
Administrator note
In the experiment, Demkina failed to reach the parameters agreed beforehand, and the testers concluded that she had not demonstrated evidence of an ability that would warrant their further study. The design, methods, scientific rigour and conclusions of the experiment have subsequently been the subjects of considerable claim and counter-claim between the testers and Demkina's supporters, which include, amongst others, Prof Brian Josephson of Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge. Administrator note
Administrator note
Demkina has since graduated from school and passed entrance examinations to Semashko State Stomatological University, Moscow, where she is currently a full-time student.
References
- Template:Anb The Discovery Channel, 2004, The Girl with X-ray Eyes
- Template:Anb Hyman R, CSICOP, Testing Natasha
- Template:Anb Scientists fail to see eye to eye over girl's "X-ray vision", Times Higher Ed. Supp., 10 Dec 2004
- Template:Anb CSMMH, Natasha Demkina, The Girl with Very Normal Eyes