Top 5 Promising Safe-Dating Inventions
We have all been there once. Whether we’re married now or in a relationship, we have all braved the dating scene. Many times, we take a gamble with random hookups and meeting random people at parties or from Tinder or OkCupid. More and more young minds are becoming motivated to invent new ways to stay safe in today’s millennial “hookup culture.” There are a variety of up-and-coming safe-dating inventions created to help keep us safer and smarter out in the rough dating and hookup scene. Here are 5 safe dating inventions for your dating safety:
5. HIV Killing Condoms
These definitely sound like a far-fetched invention, but these condoms are about to be on the market in Australia. VivaGel is a lubricant that was made by pharmaceutical company Starpharma, and is said to contain a compound that can reduce your risk of exposure to STDs. This gel was used as a coating on the condoms and Starpharma claims it has a compound, an antimicrobial agent called astodrimer sodium, which inactivated up to 99.9% of HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Human Papillomavirus during testing.
Earlier this week, these condoms were approved by Australia’s version of the FDA, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The final step for this company is to make it on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, in which case they would immediately begin production for consumption. The plan for the company is to launch their condom under the LifeStyles Duel Protect brand. Some experts are still unsure how effective VivaGel will be, or even how safe considering it will be transferred into the body.
4. Condoms That Detect STDs
Another amazing condom invention is one that currently has the media in a buzz. Recently, a group of teens invented a condom that changed colors when coming into contact with an STD. The condom is called S.T.EYE and won a TeenTech Award in London in the health category. Theoretically, the rubber in the condom would have specific molecules that would change colors depending on which STD it came into contact with, whether the carrier is the wearer or it’s partner. The creators claim to want to give society some peace of mind by giving them an innovative way to stay safe. While this invention is still in its prototype stage, the developers have been approached by a company that believes they can make this a reality in the future
3. Nail Polish That Detects Drugs
Undercover Colors was a huge media sensation last year when announcing they had created a nail polish that could detect if a drink had been drugged. So far it seems the most discrete of these safe-dating inventions as you are already wearing it before arriving at your destination, however, this prototype seems to be in limbo. News of this nail polish broke last year and the company is constantly updating their Facebook page to let us know that they’re working on it, but we have yet to see any proof.
2. Drink Safe Coasters
A Florida company called Drink Safe has created coasters that can detect two commonly used date rape drugs, GHB and Ketamine. While Rohypnol is still sometimes used, apparently the company that creates it has given it a bitter taste and blue coloring to help prevent these types of use. These coasters are actually already on the market and are a somewhat discrete way to check your drink, depending on your situation. The coasters have two areas where you place a drop of your drink and wait for the color to change (or not change). There are actually a number of companies creating more products like this to help detect any drink tampering.
1. DrinkSavvy Cups and Straws
DrinkSavvy is another company attempting to improve on drug detection. The creator had experienced his own situation that made him want to create these products for the public. They’re products are still in the production stage, but you can expect at least one more discrete way to check your drink. DrinkSavvy has created a straw/stirrer that can detect the three most common forms of date rape drugs, GHB, Ketamine and Rohypnol. You can easily bring these with you to any bar or on any social outing and slip one in your drink without anybody noticing. This gives you constant control over your drink, even if your eyes are off it for a moment. This company is also working on other safe-dating inventions, cups and glassware that detect these drugs as well. However, I see the glassware as being an option at home rather than taking one with you to a bar. Maybe we can expect establishments to invest in these types of inventions in the future and share in the responsibility of keeping their patrons safe.
While the majority of these promising safe-dating inventions are still in the prototype and testing stages, it’s something for people to look forward to. Of course, there is still controversy surrounding inventions such as these, from researchers to activist groups, questioning the technology and the intentions behind these products.
The drug testing models only test for the most common forms of date rape drugs used. There are various types of sedatives used in these situations, not just the 3 previously mentioned. I think it’s fair to say that we are only human and it takes a few tries to get things right sometimes. While fighting the date rape issue is said to be a losing battle, I think it’s better to fight at all than to just give up.
I think we live in an age of technology where virtually anything is possible and as a woman, I’d like to take every opportunity to protect myself. As much as it is our responsibility to teach people not to harm others, we also have to be realistic and know that we cannot reach everybody. Therefore, I think we also need to be smart and know how to protect ourselves. I have friends who like to go out and party hard after working hard, so these safe dating inventions are ones that I’m keeping up with and looking forward to for their safety and the safety of others.
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Top 5 Promising Safe Dating Inventions
