The Committee has submitted samples for analysis to several renowned laboratories, including the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Forensic Science Center.^[71]

In biological analyses, based on preliminary testing using advanced DNA analyses and screening techniques, unique DNA sequences were detected. Q-fever and Brucella were indicated on the inside of a gas mask carrying case, the top of a gas mask filter, and under the rubber seal of a mask submitted to the Committee for analysis by U.S. Persian Gulf War veterans who brought them back from the Middle East.^[72]

When additional primer pairs were compared, the findings were negative. These tests were repeated with identical findings -- that is, the same identical unique DNA primer pairs were indicated.^[73]

While false positive DNA testing can occur with only a single primer pair analysis, these results can also be indicative of the presence of only a single strand -- perhaps due to the presence of another genetically-altered biological warfare-related microorganism.^[74]

We do know that the U.S. licensed the export of genetic materials capable of being used to create these types of genetically-altered biological warfare agents to the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission -- an Iraqi governmental agency that conducted biological warfare-related research prior to the war.^[75] One method of creating these genetically altered microorganisms is by exposing them to radiation. The U.S. also licensed the export of several species of brucella to Iraqi governmental agencies.^[76] Both Q-fever and Brucellosis are also endemic to the region.^[77]

This study is far from conclusive but points to the need for further research in this area. According to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, biological studies need further attention. Cultures need to be investigated more closely. Experiments to amplify the whole genome and to allow for the manipulation of increased concentrations of DNA by advanced testing would likely be more precise in identifying threat organisms -- organisms that may be causing Gulf War Syndrome.

In addition many chemical compounds were present in the samples. The scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Forensic Science Center believe that additional analysis of more samples may isolate and identify unusual hazardous chemical compounds, chemicals that in combination may be hazardous, chemical warfare agent compounds, or biological pathogens on the surface of collected items -- and that much more study is warranted.^[78]

While these results are preliminary they are also very important. They show that we have the tools to get to the bottom of this problem if we simply choose to use them.

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