---
title: "Jacques Vallée discusses UFO recognition and his new book Forbidden Science 7"
url: "https://usubjects.com/article/jacques-valle-discusses-ufo-recognition-and-his-new-book-forbidden-science-7-3497"
updated: "2026-09-03T16:01:39.635Z"
description: "Jacques Vallée says the UFO/UAP phenomenon is now officially recognized as real, and the article centers on his latest book, *Forbidden Science 7: Final Report*, while also touching on his broader career and influence on current ufological debate. It also highlights his frustration with the unfinished AAWSAP database project and his new effort to build a better database that could gain attention from the Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C."
sources: ["https://www.youtube.com/live/hJA8j79wH94"]
licence: "All rights reserved"
---

# Jacques Vallée discusses UFO recognition and his new book Forbidden Science 7

Published: 2026-09-02  
Source: [Anomalist](https://www.youtube.com/live/hJA8j79wH94)

### Overview

In a special edition of *Podcast UFO Live*, host Martin Willis spoke with veteran UFO researcher and author **Jacques Vallée** about the release of his latest book, **_Forbidden Science 7: The Journals of Jacques Vallée (2020–2025)_**, and the changing status of UFO/UAP research. Vallée said the field has entered a **“new era”**, arguing that the phenomenon is now **officially recognized as real** by government bodies after decades of marginal treatment. For Vallée, that shift from speculation to congressional hearings and formal discussion represents a major turning point, even as the deeper scientific questions remain unresolved.

### A Career Shaped by an Early Encounter

Vallée traced his interest in the subject back to a 1955 sighting near Paris, France, when he says he observed an **unmoving oval disc with a dome** for several minutes. He noted that his mother and a friend, who used binoculars, also witnessed the event. That experience ultimately led him into the field professionally while he was working at the Paris Observatory, where he helped answer public correspondence about sightings. Over time, Vallée became known not only for his theories, but for his insistence on documenting anomalous reports with rigor rather than treating them as isolated curiosities.

### Data, Archives, and Historical Patterns

A central theme of the interview was Vallée’s emphasis on **data-driven research**. He described his long-running work building “data warehouses” and catalogs of unusual observations, including **_Wonders in the Sky_**, which he co-authored with Chris Aubeck and which compiles reports reaching back to the 15th century. Vallée argued that the historical record suggests the phenomenon is **not a recent development**, but a persistent feature of human experience that has appeared across eras and cultures. That archival approach, he said, is essential if researchers want to understand patterns rather than chase headlines.

### Caution on Abductions and Hypnosis

The discussion also turned to the controversial subject of abductions, where Vallée expressed strong concern about the use of hypnosis by amateur investigators. He said untrained researchers often use **leading questions** that can plant ideas in witnesses’ minds and potentially create lasting psychological harm. Vallée argued that such cases should be handled only by **licensed psychologists or psychiatrists**, warning that amateur hypnosis can “freeze” inaccurate memories and make later professional assessment difficult or impossible. He cited the **Betty and Barney Hill case** as historically important in elevating witness credibility, while cautioning against what he described as the “horror stories” that can arise from poorly managed investigations.

### Disclosure, Databases, and the Bigger Question

Vallée also offered a measured view of the current disclosure movement in Washington, saying he supports greater transparency but is concerned that officials and scientists often focus too heavily on military and intelligence data because it is supported by calibrated instruments. He argued that civilian reports—from **farmers, drivers, and children**—remain vital to understanding the phenomenon’s broader behavior. The interview also touched on his past involvement with **BAASS (Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies)** and his frustration with the unfinished **AAWSAP database project**. Vallée said he is now working on a better database he hopes will attract attention from the **Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.** In closing, he suggested the real challenge may be the **nature of reality itself**, saying the phenomenon may involve energy, perception, and intelligence in ways current science is not yet equipped to explain.

## Provenance

This USUBJECTS page is a summary or digest of the linked original source. Any accompanying generated visual is an illustrative reconstruction, not evidence.