WSU to Study Iraq Toxins' Effect
Spokesman-Review
by Bert Caldwell
Research to examine how exposure might damage offspring of soldiers
Washington State University scientists will use a $1.7 million grant to study what multi-generation genetic damage might be done by toxins U.S. troops could encounter in Iraq.
The research using laboratory rats, not humans, will be the first for the military to examine the epigenetic effects of pesticides, herbicides and other compounds, said lead scientist Michael Skinner, director of the university's Center for Reproductive Biology.
Previous studies have looked at the health effects of other substances, notably the Agent Orange used to defoliate jungles in Vietnam, on the soldiers directly exposed, he said, not on their children or grandchildren.
"The science really had not caught up with the trans-generational stuff," said Skinner, one of several WSU pioneers in the field of epigenetic, or multi-generational, inheritance.
Besides herbicides and pesticides – which and in what combinations has not been determined – the study also will look at the effects of explosives residues, he said.
The four-year study will allow researchers to see how any changes in genetic chemistry that develop are passed along through two subsequent generations of rats, he said, noting that only the first two years of research have been funded.
Among the problems that might develop are kidney disease, or changes in the male and female reproductive organs, he said.
If any genetic markers are identified in rats, Skinner said, follow-up research could look at whether they might show up among members of the military as well.
That would be of particular interest to Dave Holmes, interim chief operating officer of the Institute for Systems Medicine, which was awarded the U.S. Department of Defense grant passed through to Skinner.
Holmes' son, Tim Hammond, did two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps.
"They sprayed all kinds of stuff on them," Holmes said.
Although the grant money, the first awarded ISM, will fund work in Pullman, he said the organization's supporters hope any subsequent clinical studies will be done in Spokane.
"There's a lot of excitement about making it happen," he said.
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A Warrior's View of Socialized Healthcare
by Bruce Salisbury
Having spent our entire lives working to protect America, many of us in the retired military community have come to feel that we pretty much wasted our time.
The Communists are flexing their muscles and already announcing their victory over the American way of life.
While my friends were dying to keep America free, our political pimps and prostitutes were selling us down the river. When I retired in 1966 I believed that my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had been saved from living under any totalitarian government, but it appears that I was wrong. As always has been the case our fighting men and women continue to win the wars they fight, while our Washington DC political whores continue to sell us out.
Guess I will wake up tomorrow and start a new campaign.
I will wear my Christian Cross in plain view. I will wear my American Flag in plain view.
It was easy for Americans to call themselves Christians when none of them were being fed to the lions, but the next few years will test their timid souls.
From now on I will ask those who espouse Communism/Socialism as a way of life to be so kind as to wear their hammer and sickle when they come to town hall meetings. Just want them to show their true colors.
Have lost count of the Czars that have been named by the Democrat government up to now, but they will have more Czars than they can keep track of and probably will need a Czar-Czar to count Czars. When I go to my friend Bob's graveside service in a few days I will be glad that his race is run and we will give his wife Edie that American Flag flag which speaks to his faithful service in the US Navy. He will not realize that his service to country was negated by having ( our ) communist/socialist/elitist "government servants" stab him in the back. Sleep in peace Robert K.
Tomorrow will happen. Many a patriot will turn over in their grave, but many an American will not change a thing in their lifestyle. So many have been on the dole as "government slaves" for their entire lives. But, some older men and women will shed a tear knowing that their descendants are deeply in debt and will never again live in a free America: Unless they wake up and grow some hormones.
Disgusted, but still fighting like hell!
Bruce
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