Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would expand research on birth defects among the children of toxic-exposed veterans.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) recently introduced the Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act, which would jumpstart groundbreaking research into the effects of burn pits and other toxic chemicals on the children of veterans.
“Toxic exposures impact our veterans and their kids. By passing the Molly Loomis bill, Congress can jumpstart groundbreaking research for them, providing military families with answers to the health challenges they may face as a result of battlefield toxins,” said Blumenthal. “While we know that exposure to Agent Orange and other toxins have long-lasting, generational impacts, we know almost nothing about the genetic effects of toxic exposure. Our bill will allow us to study these generational impacts so we can better treat veterans’ loved ones and prevent these exposures.”
Veterans exposed to toxins during their military service are more likely to develop certain medical conditions, such as rare cancers, heart conditions, and chronic lung ailments, as a direct result of their toxic exposure, Blumenthal and Murray said in a statement. Descendants of toxic-exposed veterans are also likely to experience health challenges related to their parents’ or grandparents’ exposure to toxic chemicals.
The legislation is named after Molly Loomis, who has spina bifida related to her father’s exposure to Agent Orange.
While there has been some research on the link between birth defects and generational exposure to toxins and chemicals, there have yet to be comprehensive, government-led studies into the effects of toxic exposure on descendants of toxic-exposed veterans. The legislation would commission first-of-its-kind, landmark research on birth defects among descendants of toxic-exposed veterans, enabled by the PACT Act.
“We have a responsibility as a nation to ensure that toxic-exposed veterans and their families can get the comprehensive health care they need — and to date, there has not been nearly enough research on how toxic exposure can affect veterans’ children throughout their lives,” said Murray. “This legislation will take a critical step forward by requiring research on the health conditions prevalent in the descendants of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service.
Veterans Service Organizations nationwide support the legislative effort to expand research on health conditions faced by descendants of toxic-exposed veterans, including the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Military Order of the Purple Heart.
To read the bill, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.