The Fate of the Ranch Hand Study’s Samples and Data in the Balance

Agent Orange Advocacy http://covvha.net/

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On September 7th, 2016, the National Research Advisory Council will  meet in Washington DC to discuss the fate of the blood, semen and tissue samples collected for the Air Force Health Study or the ‘Ranch Hand study, as it’s known in the Veterans community. The National Research Advisory Council (NRAC), is charged with weighing in on the disposition of the AFHS study assets. In other words, what should happen to the data and samples? 

Why is happening now? A mandate in the 2006, Institute of Medicine report read, “Five years after the chosen custodian (IOM’s Medical Follow Up Agency) assumes responsibility, a committee (National Research Advisory Council) should be convened to evaluate the potential value and relevance of extending further support to the maintenance of access to the data or the biospecimens collected in the course of the AFHS” (Reference: IOM 2006 report, page 206). 

“In 1979, the US Congress directed that an epidemiologic study be conducted to evaluate the frequency and nature of adverse health effects that might be related to exposure to “Agent Orange” and other military herbicides used during the Vietnam conflict. The effort—formally called the Air Force Health Study (AFHS) and informally referred to as the Ranch Hand Study—involved Operation Ranch Hand veterans and a comparison group of Air Force personnel who served in Southeast Asia but who were not involved in herbicide spraying operations. 

After the Study concluded, the Congress directed that its research assets be transferred to the custodianship of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). A later Public Law (110-389) instructed the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to work with the IOM to make the AFHS assets available to scientific investigators for scientifically peer reviewed pilot and other research studies”  National Academies of Science website

Veterans, Veteran’s Organizations, and their families need to voice the need to protect these biospecimens and the data associated with the Ranch Hand Study. One of the major hurdles with proving Agent Orange has caused negative health effects to Vietnam Veterans and their children is the lack of research. These samples and their availability have the potential to serve into the next several generations if properly managed. The Ranch Hand study samples are crucial to finding answers.

Since the adoption of the biennial IOM reviews of research regarding Herbicide exposure, the IOM has recommended, report after report, more research needs to be completed in order to understand if there has been a transgenerational effect on the children of Vietnam Veterans. The decades have passed as science has continued to advance. Today, we are closer then ever to being able to understand the genetic plausibility of biological damage in successive generations. The samples must be preserved so they can be used for continued research. The IOM has not said herbicide exposure has not caused illnesses or birth defects in the offspring of Vietnam Veterans, it has continually said, there is not enough research to prove or disprove.

Until the research has been completed, destroying such an important piece of the puzzle would be detrimental to Vietnam Veterans and their families.

Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance has suggested the data and samples should be placed in a biological management system independent of the Air Force and into a System where they can be made accessible to properly credentialed researchers.

The VA will soon be starting a large population based survey of the health of Vietnam Veterans, called the Vietnam Morbidity Study. This is a crucial time for our community. It has been quoted the Ranch Hand Study cost $140 million dollars to do. We must continue to protect this investment. While the study itself was plagued by controversy, the biological specimens will be very important as results from the new study come to light. 

There is no question these samples should be maintained, but COVVHA has also asked they  be removed from peril by taking them off an every five year review. The data and samples should be placed in a permanent location where they can be preserved and used for the length of their viability. This is a major part of the legacy of Vietnam Veterans and their families that must be protected.

Please contact  Pauline Cilladi-Rehrer, Designated Federal Officer, ORD (10P9), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, at (202)443–5607, or by email at [email protected] ask the committee to preserve and protect the Ranch Hand Study’s biological samples and data. Also contact your representatives.  Please share this with all groups and organizations we must act together. 

Meeting Information
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
National Research Advisory Council
National Research Advisory Council;
Notice of Meeting
The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) gives notice under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App.
2, that the National Research Advisory
Council will hold a meeting on
Wednesday, September 7, 2016, in
Room 730 at 810 Vermont Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC. The meeting will
convene at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30
p.m., and is open to the public. Anyone
attending must show a valid photo ID to
building security and be escorted to the
meeting. Please allow 15 minutes before
the meeting begins for this process.
The agenda will include reviews of
the recommendations of the subcommittees
on the Air Force Health
Study and the Tech Transfer Program. A
visit from the SECVA is possible.
No time will be allocated at this
meeting for receiving oral presentations
from the public. Members of the public
wanting to attend, or needing further
information may contact Pauline
Cilladi-Rehrer, Designated Federal
Officer, ORD (10P9), Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
NW., Washington, DC 20420, at (202)
443–5607, or by email at [email protected].
at least 5 days prior to
the meeting date.

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© 2014 ‎(COVVHA) Children Of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance INC
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