-ll- to the epidemiological and genetic study of atomic veterans and other veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service, as well as their offspring, Alan Cranston's Senate Bill 11. as called for in Senator Because no substantive data currently exists regarding the possibility of genetic and birth defects among the offspring of atomic veterans, NAAV finds it hard to believe that the Veterans Administration would gO on record as opposing S. 11 which specifically calls for the first genetic study of atomic veterans and their offsprina. It is both ironic and unfortunate that the Associate Deputy Chief Medical Director of the Veterans Administration, Dr. Earl Brown, has stated at the April 6th Senate hearina that "No genetic effects exist among the offspring of atomic veterans." Not only is there no existing scientific evidence to support such a claim, but having the Veterans Administration oppose a genetic study (as outlined in S. 11) raises the rost profound question about the intentions of the Agency mandated by Congress "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan." Thank you.