[Submitted courtesy DSNurse]
Congressman Jack Metcalf announced to a House Committee investigating Gulf War illnesses today that he has issued a report stating that squalene, a substance in unapproved vaccine adjuvant formulations, was found in the anthrax vaccine in amounts that could boost immune response---raising the possibility that squalene was used in innoculations given to gulf War era vets. GAO science investigators have documented concerns regarding the use of novel adjuvant formulations in vaccines, including squalene.
Metcalf compiled the report over a three year period, putting together a team led by his special Assistant,Norma Smith. It contains a series of documented conclusions, and an extensive compilation of supporting documents.
Congressman Metclaf's statement to the House Subcommittee on National Security,Veterans Affairs, and International Relations.
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Congressman Jack Metcalf has issued a report culminating a three year investigation into the conduct of the DOD (Department of Defense) with regard to the possibility that squalene, a substance in vaccine adjuvant formulations not approved by the FDA, was used in inoculations given to Gulf War era service personnel. According to the GAO (General Accounting Office), scientists have expressed safety concerns regarding the use of novel adjuvant formulations in vaccines, including squalene.
The report reveals that the FDA has found trace amounts of scalene in the anthrax vaccine. The amounts recorded are enough to "boost immune response," according to immunology professor Dr. Dorothy Lewis of Baylor University. Therefore, the report concludes that immediate action should be taken to halt the current AVIP (Anthrax Vaccination Immunization Program). It further states that an aggressive investigation must be undertaken to determine the source of the squalene, and the potential health consequences to those who have been vaccinated, both during and after the Gulf War.
The report also documents at length DOD "stonewalling" attempts to resolve this issue, which GAO investigators characterized as "a pattern of deception." The GAO stated the DOD denied conducting extensive squalene testing before the Gulf War, then admitted it after being confronted with the public record. The GAO revealed that DOD officials deliberating deployment of the anthrax vaccine expressed a "willingness to jump out and, use everything:" in discussing experimental vaccines containing adjuvants not approved by the FDA.
GAO also found Peter Collis, DOD official who headed vaccine efforts, refused to cooperate with them. The report states that the DOD has refused to act in good faith upon the GAO recommendation to replicate the findings of a test developed by renowned virologist Dr. Robert Gary of Tulane University, although DOD admitted they could easily do so. The work of theTulane researchers has been peer-reviewed in a scientific publication of high standing.
Finally, the report states that "Congress should take immediate action to review the findings of the GAO and the Armed Services Epidemiological Board, and provide independent oversight for the immediate implementation of their recommendations. "The board called on the DOD to engage in close cooperation with the Tulane researchers.
Congressman Metcalf believes it is clearly within the oversight responsibility of the Congress to get to the bottom of the labyrinth that has become known as "GulfWar Illnesses." We have an obligation to pursue the truth, wherever it may lead us. To do less would be to act dishonorably reward the dedicated men and women who stand between us and a dangerous world, willing to die if necessary to defend our nation.
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Page
1 The Request For Investigation
2 Section One The Investigation: A Pattern of Deception
7 Section Two The Stonewalling and Obfuscation
11 Section Three FDA Testing Reveals Squalene in Anthrax Vaccine
12 Conclusion
13 Footnotes
Appendix 24 - Appendix 25 - Appendix 26
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