Lee Metcalf: “in March 1999, following an investigation into reports that researchers at Tulane Medical School had developed a test…”

“in March 1999, following an investigation into reports that researchers at Tulane Medical School had developed a test that demonstrated a direct correlation between Gulf War illnesses and antibodies to squalene, the GAO recommended that the DOD immediately replicate the independent research results that revealed the presence of squalene antibodies in the blood of ill Gulf War veterans. Unfortunately, the DOD, Department of Defense, has chosen to ignore this recommendation. Instead, it has embarked on an attempt to change the format of the test rather than validating the research data. Because of the urgent need to determine if this test can be used as a diagnostic tool for those suffering from Gulf War illnesses, funding is needed for a review to build on the published science. This amendment will provide the money to validate the Tulane test. A mere $40,000 will be shifted from the administrative budget of the Agriculture Department to the Food and Drug Administration. If this test is validated, it will give hope to thousands of Gulf War veterans who still suffer from their service in the Gulf War. This amendment will allow FDA to convene a panel of three to four immunologists to visit Tulane Medical School to review the data concerning the anti-squalene antibody assay and familiarize themselves with the test procedures.”