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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VBA’s Fiduciary Program is not effectively protecting the VA-derived income and estates of incompetent beneficiaries
On March 31, 2010, the VA's Office of Inspector General (VAOIG) released the following report:
Audit of the Fiduciary Program’s Effectiveness in Addressing Potential Misuse of Beneficiary
Funds --
Report Number 09-01999-120,
Report Highlights: Audit of the Fiduciary Program’s Effectiveness in Addressing Potential Misuse of Beneficiary Funds
Why We Did This Audit
This audit determined if the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has reasonable assurance that VA-derived income and estates of incompetent beneficiaries are used solely for their care, support, welfare, and needs. The Fiduciary Program oversees VA benefits paid to beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their funds. Under VBA supervision, payment of VA benefits are made to an individual or entity recognized as responsible for managing the beneficiary’s affairs—the “fiduciary.” Prior audit reports and investigations by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) provided indications of the vulnerability of incompetent beneficiary estates to fraud.
What We Found
VBA’s Fiduciary Program is not effectively protecting the VA-derived income and estates of incompetent beneficiaries. Specifically, the Program does not consistently pursue delinquent fiduciary accountings and follow up on potential misuse of beneficiary funds. VBA lacks elements of an effective management infrastructure to monitor program performance, effectively utilize staff, and oversee fiduciary activities. In particular, VBA’s case management system (the Fiduciary-Beneficiary System) does not possess data that would allow the agency to provide effective management oversight of the program or to better target some of its efforts towards those beneficiary estates that are most vulnerable to misuse. As a result, VA Regional Offices are not consistently taking timely or effective actions to ensure VA-derived income and estates of incompetent beneficiaries are protected.
What We Recommend
VBA needs to improve the management infrastructure to direct the Fiduciary Program nationwide more effectively. In addition, VBA needs to develop and disseminate policies and procedures to improve the effectiveness of analyzing annual accountings filed by fiduciaries and investigating and reporting allegations of misuse of beneficiary funds.
Agency Comments
The Acting Under Secretary for Benefits agreed with our findings and provided target dates to complete planned actions that address our recommendations. We consider their planned actions acceptable and will follow up on their implementation. Appendix E includes the full text of the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits’ comments.
(original signed by:)
BELINDA J. FINN
Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations
