NEW ZEALAND DIOXIN DNA DAMAGE REPORT

Thanks to Taura and Susan we already have a copy of the New Zealand DNA Dioxin report.

That .pdf report is located at: http://www.2ndbattalion94thartillery.com/Chas/reporttoparticipants.pdf

Now this takes a while to load as it is about 40 pages so be patient.

The following are the Media Release as well as the brief background of the Ex-Vietnam Services Associations.

EX-VIETNAM SERVICES ASSN.INC.

Representing Vietnam Veterans and their Families

MEDIA RELEASE Friday July 28 2006

STUDY REINFORCES VIETNAM VETERANS’ AGENT ORANGE CONCERNS

GENETIC DAMAGE IN NEW ZEALAND VIETNAM WAR VETERANS: is the title of a special Massey University Study that has scientifically tested a sample group of Vietnam Veterans.

" The Ex-Vietnam Services Association (EVSA) notes with great interest the results of this recently completed study undertaken by the Institute of Molecular BioSciences at Massey University which was made available today.” Said Chris Mullane— EVSA Agent Orange Project Leader.

The Study claims to have “obtained highly significant results and strong evidence” that the sample of Vietnam Veterans tested have suffered genetic damage as a result of exposure to harmful substances during their service in Vietnam.

This reinforces the strong concerns of EVSA ( membership of over 1800 NZ Vietnam Veterans—see attached profile) that the exposure of our Vietnam service people to Agent Orange and other related toxic substances has serious health implications not only for those exposed, but also for their progeny for generations to come.

The Government is presently considering a report by a Joint Working Group (JWG) into the concerns of Vietnam Veterans and their families, in particular the exposure of the veterans to herbicides such as Agent Orange.

The results of this new Massey study have come too late to be formally included in the JWG Report, but EVSA believes the Government will want to take into consideration this new information when deciding on what actions it will take to assist Vietnam Veterans and their families.

This academic study also recommends that these Genetic Damage results 'warrant a larger study of NZ Vietnam War Veterans with a significantly larger sample size’ and “ that a similar scientific investigation of the children of these veterans be conducted”

EVSA expects the Government will want to consider initiating such a comprehensive study as part of its stated commitment to fully understanding the health issues facing Vietnam Veterans and their families.

The JWG Report into the Concerns of Vietnam Veterans which was delivered to the Minister of Defence Phil Goff on April 28 2006 was the result of over 18 months intensive work including extensive consultation with New Zealand Vietnam Veterans both throughout NZ and into Australia as well as consideration of over 300 written submissions and analysis of highly regarded overseas research particularly from Australia and the United States.

Chaired by ex State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham the JWG included representatives of EVSA and the RNZRSA.

“We understand that the Government are well advanced in their consideration of the JWG Report and EVSA are looking forward to meeting with the Minister within the next month prior to the Governments. recommendations going to Cabinet” said Mr. Mullane.

For more information:

Chris Mullane

EVSA Project Leader

Agent Orange

(09) 445-9664

(027) 252-4645

cmullane@xtra.co.nz

Rod Baldwin

Chairman EVSA War Pensions

(09) 298-3842

(021) 061-5190

rgbcgb@xtra.co.nz

Ex-Vietnam Services Association

Representing Vietnam Veterans and their families

A Brief Background

1975 - 2006

EVSA's origins date back to 1975 when the first reunion of New Zealand Viet Nam veterans was held.
The name Ex-Vietnam Services Association was adopted at the 1978 Reunion General Meeting held in Rotorua.
Since then, the EVSA has established a pattern of biennial reunions. The 2006 Reunion was the 14^th EVSA reunion and marks the organization's 30^th year.
The EVSA currently has some 1800 Veteran Members.
EVSA's membership includes Associate Members who are kinfolk of New Zealand veterans and also Viet Nam veterans from Australia and the United States.
The EVSA keeps its members informed through Contact magazine which is published quarterly.
The EVSA maintains a network of Area Representatives and Pension Advisers staffed by volunteers throughout New Zealand and in most states of Australia.
The EVSA provides welfare and war pension services to Viet Nam veterans and their families regardless of whether they are current members of EVSA.
The EVSA conducts a range of membership and fund-raising activities to support its efforts on behalf of its members and Viet Nam veterans in general.
The EVSA makes financial contributions to the EVSA (Neville Wallace) Youth Development Trust, which makes grants to assist veterans' children in pursuing education, sporting, etc. endeavors.
EVSA mandated and supported the veteran initiated and organized Parade '98 conducted to publicly acknowledge the service of New Zealand Viet Nam veterans.
The EVSA has made submissions on behalf of veterans in respect of their exposure to Agent Orange and other chemicals during their Viet Nam service. This has included direct representations to Government and also to official inquiries such as that held by the Parliamentary Health Select Committee in 2003/2004.
Since October 2004, the EVSA has been particularly active in following up with Government the recommendations of the Health Select Committee. Supported by the RNZRSA, the EVSA initiated dialogue with the Government which led to the establishment of the Joint Working Group on the Concerns of Viet Nam Veterans chaired by former State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham.
In 2005/2006 the JWG carried out a series of consultation meetings with Viet Nam veterans and their families throughout New Zealand and held video conferences with groups of New Zealand veterans living in Australia. The JWG Report & Recommendations is currently being considered by the Government and the EVSA is maintaining positive dialogue with Government during this critical stage. It is anticipated the Government's response to the JWG recommendations will be announced within the next few months.