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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Web site gives military alcohol assessment
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WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass., April 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense says it is encouraging service members and their families to take an anonymous online assessment to detect alcohol problems.
Lt. Col. Hans Ritschard, director of psychological health strategic operations, says Military Pathways provides service personnel and their families opportunities to know more about mental health and alcohol use, using anonymous self-assessments offered online, by telephone and at events held at military installations.
"Occasional alcohol use can cause few if any problems. However, at-risk or heavy drinking can impact all aspects of a service member's life, including health and family," Ritschard says in a statement. "Screening is the first step in assessing whether someone should reduce alcohol consumption or get help in doing so."
Alcohol is a factor in 60 percent of fatal burn injuries, drownings and homicides; 50 percent of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 40 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides and fatal falls, Ritschard says.
Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver disease, heart disease, sleep disorders, depression, stroke and several types of cancer.
The screenings are available at the Web site: www.DrinkingIQ.org.
