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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Landmark Legislation to Help Wounded & Women Veterans
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Sarbanes voted for the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (S. 1963) which passed the House by a vote of 419 to 0. It will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.
“America’s brave veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to protect this country,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “They deserve our utmost gratitude but also a meaningful commitment in terms of health care and resources. Although we can never fully repay the debt we owe to those who have served, this legislation will ensure that our nation fulfills our commitments to them.”
This legislation will provide caregiver assistance to wounded veterans, expand health care benefits for female veterans and enhance mental health benefits for returning veterans.
After having their application accepted caregivers will have access to training, education, mental health services, respite care, assistance to accompany the veteran on medical care visits and even monthly stipends.
The legislation also expands Veterans Administration (VA) health programs for 1.8 million female veterans. It directs the VA to conduct a study of barriers to female veterans seeking health care, educate and train mental health professionals caring for veterans with sexual trauma; implement a reintegration and readjustment pilot program, establish a child care pilot program for women receiving regular and intensive mental health care and intensive health care services and provide up to seven days of post-delivery health care to a new born child.
The bill’s caregiver support provisions would:
* Fulfill VA’s obligation to care for the nation’s wounded veterans by providing their caregivers with training, counseling, supportive services, and a living stipend
* Provide health care to the family caregivers of injured veterans under CHAMPVA
* Require independent oversight of the caregiver program
The bill would also provide numerous other improvements for veterans, by:
* Expanding health care services for women veterans
* Reaching out to veterans living in rural areas
* Improving mental health care
* Removing barriers to care for catastrophically disabled veterans
* Enhancing VA medical services
* Strengthening VA’s workforce
* Improving and increasing services to homeless veterans
S. 1963 now goes to President Obama for his consideration. For an in-depth summary of the bill, click here: LINK.
MEDICARE FEE HIKE DELAYED – Congress blocked a 21.2 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements to doctors, this time until June. The scheduled fee cuts would impact TRICARE too in its ability to retain participating physicians. The lowered fees are tied to a controversial formula for setting Medicare physician rates adopted in 1997. Congress has blocked its full effect since 2002 so threatened fee cuts only grow larger each year.
