The discovery of deuterium; in 1932 by the American chemist Harold Urey and his associates was the first isotope to be separated in a pure form from an element. Several methods have been utilized to separate the isotope from natural hydrogen. The two processes that have proved most successful have been fractional distillation of water and a catalytic exchange process between hydrogen and water.

Analysis of the latter system indicates that when water and hydrogen are brought together in the presence of a suitable catalyst, we estimate there to be three times as much deuterium in the water as in hydrogen. Electrolysis centrifuging, and fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen also have concentrated Deuterium.

Deuterium, either in deuterium oxide or in lithium deuteride and tritium are essential components of nuclear fusion weapons, or hydrogen bombs.

In 1985, the American government passed the "DEUTERIUM FREEDOM ACT OF 1985" in which recognition was given to the benefits Deuterium could provide to the human race.

The ACT, Section 2 (b) Line 15 states: “Deuterium can and does form all other elements, and stands at the very core of the Universe. The ashes of Hydrogen constitute water. Heavy Hydrogen combined with water becomes 'Heavy Water' (Deuterium Oxide).” Line 25 states: “Because of Deuterium's facility to speed up the digestive process, it will aid in patients getting more mileage out of the food they consume; and, at the same time, reduce the toxicity in the blood stream.”