Date Rape Nail Varnish That Will Warn You If Your Drink's Been Spiked

Four American students have developed the innovative product to help women protect themselves against sexual assault

University students in the US have developed a nail polish that can detect if a drink has been spiked or not.

The clear anti-date rape nail varnish, called Undercover Colors, changes colour when it comes into contact with drugs like Rohypnol, Xanax, and GHB. So, in theory, all the wearer has to do on a night out is discreetly stir her drink with her finger tip to know if all is safe.

The four students from North Carolina State University - Ankesh Madan, Stephen Gray, Tasso Von Windheim, and Tyler Confrey-Maloney - came up with the idea when they realised they've all known someone who's had to deal with sexual assault.

Ankesh Madan told Higher Education Works: 'As we were thinking about big problems in our society, the topic of drug-facilitated sexual assault came up. All of us have been close to someone who has been through the terrible experience, and we began to focus on finding a way to help prevent the crime.

'We wanted to focus on preventive solutions, especially those that could be integrated into products that women already use. And so the idea of creating a nail polish that detects date rape drugs was born.'

The product is still being developed, and while, of course, women shouldn't have to go to such lengths to protect themselves (it's ridiculous that simply being a woman means you're at risk of rape), it's always nice to have another weapon in the arsenal against sexual assault.

We want to know your thoughts on this date rape nail varnish. Do you think it's a good idea?