THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 24, 1995 TAG: 9505240504
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
The Pentagon announced a $5 million grant program Tuesday to promote research into ailments afflicting veterans of the Persian Gulf War.
The money would be awarded to universities, hospitals and research institutions.
The grants, intended for institutions outside the federal government, are being administered by the Army Medical Research and Material Command.
``The federal government has a responsibility to make every effort to respond to the needs of American veterans and soldiers,'' President Clinton said in a statement.
``We are working hard to make sure that treatment and extensive research for veterans will not be delayed as it was for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. The Department of Defense is taking the right steps in actively pursuing new research efforts,'' Clinton said.
Dr. Stephen Joseph, heading a Pentagon examination of the Gulf War ailments, said the Defense Department will release a study of 10,000 veterans by the end of July. The list will contain clinical evaluations of a variety of ailments. The idea, Joseph said, is to ensure that victims of what is sometimes called Gulf War syndrome are assured that every avenue of inquiry has been explored.
Joseph reiterated conclusions reached in an earlier study of a smaller group of patients.
``We see no evidence of chemical or biological warfare agents as having been used in the Gulf War playing a part in this syndrome,'' Joseph said.
But he added, ``I don't think we have any evidence that makes us expect to see something unusual or a new disease, but that's the issue. . . We will try to follow every lead that seems reasonable.'' MEMO: RESEARCH TARGETS
Epidemiological studies of health problems afflicting Persian Gulf
War veterans.
Health effects of pyridostigmine bromide used alone and in
combination with other chemicals. This is an anti-nerve gas agent that
some have linked to mystery ailments afflicting some veterans.
Clinical research examining specific cases and exploring modes of
transmission and causes of Gulf War-related illnesses.
KEYWORDS: PERSIAN GULF WAR DESERT STORM ILLNESS by CNB