Inheriting the Vietnam War Legacy - Recently Updated Pages

Home

Combat_Ken — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:47:44 CST

FACEBOOK SUPPORT NETWORK

NING SUPPORT NETWORK

A space for children, grandchildren, families and friends of Vietnam Veterans, East Timor, Afganistan, Iraq, Solomon Islands and peace-keeping missions to come together to share experiences, stories and yarns.

To navigate this site just select the page you want to view from the contents menu at the top left of the screen. An arrowhead indicates a primary page with a sub-menu. Click the arrowhead to see more pages of information within this topic.

DISCLAIMER
The Children and Grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans Network (Australia, New Zealand, UK, America, or any of its affiliate and associate member organisations) does not in any way endorse the advertisements viewed in the above, left or right margins of this site. This is a free web-hosting service and thus must agree to such unsolicited advertising.
If you are intending to join this site with the intention of promoting your product or service, forget it!!! You will be booted!!!

Are you a child or grandchild of a Veteran?

Do you or your children have emotional and learning difficulties?

Do you have other physical issues and concerns that make you "different"?

Do you have trouble “fitting in” with others?

Do you have more questions than answers?

If you, or someone you are related to, has experienced a severe life-threatening event (such that would result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), we can help bring meaning and understanding. This extends beyond just the Vietnam War to all conflicts since Vietnam (including the current Middle-East Crisis) and domestic drama such as sexual assault, armed holdup, harrassment, severe accident, holocaust, etc.

Your parents’ and grandparents’ experiences can influence your health and well-being. Evidence suggests the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be inherited. They range from mild to chronic and are often called ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, Bipolar, Mania and others. This site also presents and discusses some of the issues around the inherited aspects of TDCC (Agent Orange) and other chemicals used in the Vietnam War.

This site is maintained by PhD researcher Ken O'Brien who is a son of a Vietnam Veteran, father of a child with spina bifida and served in the Australian defence forces. He provides valuable services to the Pine Rivers District RSL Sub-branch and the VVAA. Ken has been researching this specific phenomena for over 23yrs. He has written several articles and conducted many more presentations to the general public, government and mental and medical professionals on this concern in an attempt to illuminate the way forward for the many families negotiating their way through life.

This site is where he posts his latest findings to the informed community.

Ken represents the needs, issues and concerns of children of Vietnam Veterans to the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs in his role on the Consultative Forum for the Vietnam Veterans' Family Health Study. He is also the State Health Advisor to the Queensland Branch of the Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia

Supported by the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (QLD) we are reaching out to children and grandchildren of all military campains to help answer questions, and find meaning and understanding in our lives and the lives of our children.

Check out our networking and support site on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5335153204

Click on this link or copy to your browser address bar.

You will have to sign up for a facebook account and submit a request for membership, but it is well worth it. Membership is open only to Children and Grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans, or others seeking assistance in living with the daily rigors of PTSD. The network is international and several thousand strong. You'll be very happily surprised when you join our "family".

We also have another networking site for all children, grandchildren, relatives and friends of ours who want to contribute to the massive pool of experience and knowledge we are accumulating.

You will find the site at:

http://cgovvo.ning.com/

Newsletters

Combat_Ken — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:40:24 CDT

To read the newsletters please scroll to the bottom of this page and select the appropriate attachment.

Please also leave your comments in the thread section.

NOTE: In no way whatsoever does any information in these newsletters aim to harm or demeanour anyone. Any such outcome is deemed unproductive towards our intentions and is not endorsed by our organisation or its management committee. Comments and feedback is edited only to adhere with language and conduct requirements. Comments and opinions expressed do not represent the Children and Grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans Network, its members or management committee. It is the sole responsibility of the person submitting such comment and feedback to ensure it is in accordance with our standards. Failure to comply will result in failure of printing. The publishing committee and management committee's decision is final.

National Health Study

Combat_Ken — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:20:04 CDT

Article September 2009
Registration for the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study, an intergenerational study, is still open. This family study is comparing the health and wellbeing of the children of Vietnam veterans with the health and well being of children of Army personnel who served during 1962-1975 but did not deploy to Vietnam. The participation of family members is essential for the success of the study.

You can register by calling 1800 502 302 or online at www.dva.gov.au/vvfs. Registrations are encouraged from: Randomly selected Vietnam veterans plus their: · Children/step children; · Wives/partners; · Ex-wives/partners; · Siblings, especially brothers; and · Nieces and nephews. Randomly selected Army personnel who served during the period 1962 – 1975 plus their: · Children/step children; · Wives/partners; and · Ex-wives and partners. The members of the study’s Consultative Forum are continuing to encourage registrations from randomly selected participants. The study’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) has been established. The SAC is chaired by the study’s Independent Scientific Advisor, Professor Bryan Rodgers. The SAC provides advice on scientific matters related to the conduct of the study including methodology and monitoring progress from a scientific point of view. The SAC will also review the research for accuracy and validity and will be asked to approve the final draft report before it is presented to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs via the Repatriation Commission. Five of the study’s research components are underway with the:

Children of Vietnam Veterans’ Mortality Study is being undertaken by TNS Social Research.
Re-analysis of the Vietnam Veterans’ Sons and Daughters Project is being undertaken by Enhance Management.
Semi-Structured Telephone Interviews is being undertaken by the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health.
History of Health Case Studies is being undertaken by Open Mind Research Group.
In-depth Case Study (Ethnographic Study) being undertaken by TNS Social Research.

The latter three research components will provide information to assist with the development of the main survey questionnaire. It is expected results from all of this research, with the exception of the Mortality Study, will be finalised in late 2009.
For more information on the study call toll free 1800 502 302 or visit the website: www.dva.gov.au/vvfs.

Bulletin No 8 – August 2009 From the Chair of the Consultative Forum Greetings to all Consultative Forum members. This Bulletin provides you with an update on the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study as at August 2009. Article for Newsletters An article for use in your newsletters, journals and any publicity on the study is provided at Attachment 1. Registration numbers Registration numbers in the children of control group participants have increased following a letter to all registered control group participants with children which was sent out commencing 20 July 2009. During the period 20 July to 4 August 2009 269 control group children registered for the study bringing the total number in this group to 1648. Current registration numbers are attached below: Research Components Update Progress meetings have been held with the research organisations currently undertaking research as detailed below. Enhance Management (Re-analysis of the Vietnam Veterans’ Sons and Daughters Project) are currently working on a literature review and conducting in-depth analysis into focus group transcripts and the Clinical Audit data. Enhance Management will provide a mid-project report in late August with the final report on target for release in November 2009. TNS Social Research (Children of Vietnam Veterans’ Mortality Study) are currently conducting Stage 1 of the study and have received a total of 5881 forms. Basic demographic statistics from these forms show a total of 15,747 children with 542 (3.5%) of these reported to be deceased. We will continue to send mortality study data forms to participants as they register and this data will be analysed during Stage 2 of the mortality study. Work proposals have been received and evaluated for the next three qualitative research components. Dr Cathy Banwell, Postdoctoral Fellow, National Health and Medical Research Council, ANU, served on the panel with DVA staff for the evaluation of the proposals on 23 July 2009. The following organisations have been selected by competitive tender for these components:

Tier Component	Organisation/Institution
Tier 1 (a) Semi-Structured Telephone Interviews	Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH, UniQuest)
Tier 1 (d) History of Health (Case Study)	Open Mind Research Group
Tier 1 (e) Ethnographic Study	TNS Social Research

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) The inaugural meeting of the SAC was held on 6 July 2009. Those in attendance, in addition to the SAC members listed below, included Prof Bryan Rodgers (Independent Scientific Advisor), Dr Graham Killer (Principal Medical Advisor) and Ass/Prof Susan Treloar (Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health). As previously advised, as well as Prof Rodgers and Dr Killer, the SAC members are:

Professor Ilan Katz (Social Policy Research Unit, The University of NSW);
Dr Paul Jelfs, (Assistant Statistician, Social Analysis and Reporting Branch Australian Bureau of Statistics);
Dr Lyndall Strazdins (Fellow, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University); and
Professor Elizabeth Waters (Jack Brockhoff Chair of Child Public Health, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne).

The SAC discussed issues such as the overall study protocol and methodology, and how the current qualitative research will inform the main survey. The SAC also expressed an interest in being involved with the development of the work proposal for the quantitative survey, in the methodology for the Mortality Study and in communicating with the Consultative Forum. An outcome of this meeting was that members of the SAC and Dr Killer met with TNS Social Research to discuss methodology for the Mortality Study and a joint meeting between the SAC and the CF will be arranged. Another issue raised at the meeting was what the veteran community and the study's participant groups are expecting from the VVFS. Mark Travers, Director, Family Study Program, has sought your feedback on the views of your constituent groups on this matter. I encourage you to provide feedback so that we can consider and plan how the study will best meet stakeholder expectations. These issues will also be discussed at the joint meeting of the CF and the SAC proposed for later in November 2009. Next meeting The next meeting of the Consultative Forum is to be via teleconference at 2.00pm on Tuesday 29 September 2009. Details of how to phone in to the teleconference will be sent out in early September. Best wishes, Brigadier W Rolfe AO (Rtd) Repatriation Commissioner Chairman Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study Consultative Forum

Attachment 1 Article August 2009
Registration for the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study, an intergenerational study, is still open. This family study is comparing the health and wellbeing of the children of Vietnam veterans with the health and well being of children of Army personnel who served during 1962-1975 but did not deploy to Vietnam. The participation of family members is essential for the success of the study.
You can register by calling 1800 502 302 or online at www.dva.gov.au/vvfs. Registrations are encouraged from: Randomly selected Vietnam veterans plus their: · Children/step children; · Wives/partners; · Ex-wives/partners; · Siblings, especially brothers; and · Nieces and nephews. Randomly selected Army personnel who served during the period 1962 – 1975 plus their: · Children/step children; · Wives/partners; and · Ex-wives and partners. The members of the study’s Consultative Forum are continuing to encourage registrations from randomly selected participants, particularly the family members mentioned above. The study’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) has been established and held its inaugural meeting on 6 July 2009. The SAC is chaired by the study’s Independent Scientific Advisor, Professor Bryan Rodgers. The SAC provides advice on scientific matters related to the conduct of the study including methodology and monitoring progress from a scientific point of view. The SAC will also review the research for accuracy and validity and will be asked to approve the final draft report before it is presented to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs via the Repatriation Commission. Two of the study’s research components are underway. The Children of Vietnam Veterans’ Mortality Study is being undertaken by TNS Social Research and the Re-analysis of the Vietnam Veterans’ Sons and Daughters Project is being undertaken by Enhance Management. Results from these project are expected in November 2009.
Three other research components are about to commence. These include the semi-structured telephone interviews, history of health case studies and in-depth case study of six sons and daughters of the Vietnam war era (the ethnographic study). These research components will provide information to assist with the development of the main survey questionnaire. It is expected results from these components will be finalised in late 2009.
For more information on the study call toll free 1800 502 302.

Australian National Health Study info
http://www.dva.gov.au/health/research/fsp/vv/myth_busters.htm

There is a lot of speculation around the National Health Study into the health and wellbeing of Vietnam Veterans' families. This is one site by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) which dispells many of the myths and rumours that are being generated through scepticism and heresay.

Please click on the link to read the latest from the Department on this vital study.

I will also have several questions I will be asking of the co-ordinator that should be of interest to you. I will post the outcomes when they become available.

ADDITIONAL:
If you are a Vietnam Veteran and have children to another marriage, please convice them to submit their nomination to participate. The information the DVA will use to access the families is what they currently have on record. Therefore, any children/partners from previous relationships may be overlooked, and, as my fieldwork indicates, they are just as much in need of this as any of us are. If you are the child/grandchild of such a Veteran, nominate yourself....

There has been a great deal happening during the last month in relation to the National Health Study into the health and wellbeing of Vietnam Veteran Families. The inaugural meeting for the Consultative Forum (CF) occurred on September 22nd, 2008 in Melbourne. I am fortunate enough to have received an invitation to be on this forum. Naturally I accepted this invitation and attended the said inaugural meeting.

The most significant and pressing issue that arose from the meeting is that we need more participants. If this study is to be the one that “did things right” and “has a real impact” it needs our support and participation. The representative from the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH) stated that they were particularly seeking contributions from families whose parents did not go to Vietnam. This is critical to the study as it provides a base in the mainstream society upon which to compare ourselves to. This group is considered the “normal” group and will be the reference to determine how different we may be. There is also a strong requirement for us to participate too.

There were 10,000 surveys sent out to Vietnam Vets. Approximately 56% have been returned. Although this may seem like a significant proportion, it hardly scratches the surface of the issue as many of these do not consider themselves to be needing any support or assistance, effectively leaving those who do, without a presence in the wider scale of things. Again, the voices of those who do need help is being swamped by those who don’t. This will only lead to another failed study.

The Federal Government has committed $13.8m into this study. It is the largest single amount ever committed to a study of this nature. The minister (Alan Griffin) really wants this study to do what it is intended to do – demonstrate to the government policy makers that the children, grandchildren and partners of Vietnam Veterans struggle daily (or not) with unique issues that are currently being ignored, costing the government millions. Its success is being hindered by an attitude of resistance, bitterness and denial from the Vietnam Veteran community.

The CMVH have established that the only way to get information from the Children of Vietnam Vets is through the Vet themselves. If the Vet doesn’t have faith in the study, they will simply throw the survey away, denying their spouse and children the opportunity to contribute to their own future support. If this continues, the Veteran community will be sending a signal to the government that there are no issues or concerns and their children and grandchildren neither want, nor need any help. This will render any future complaints, issues or grievances mute. In short, the Vietnam Veteran community is cutting its own throat by not putting their personal issues in the past and participating for the sake of their future.

Another concern I raised at the CF meeting involves the neglect of a significant proportion of families that my own research has identified as being most in need of support. As the CMVH can only gain access to the family through the support and compliance of the Veteran themselves, if the Veteran is deceased, then their remaining partner and children will not be included. This inevitably includes children and partners from previous relationships. Children and husbands (and wives) from previous marriages will therefore also be neglected. However, despite the flaws in the methodology of this study, it is by far the most effective way we have to make our voices heard and establish a legitimate cause to develop better educational, medical, employment and support services for the children, grandchildren and partners of Vietnam Veterans who are aware of the details of daily struggles just to live. If you are a Vietnam Veteran and carry an attitude of bitterness against the government, please, put that aside for a moment and consider the consequences on your children and grandchildren. The outcomes of this study will improve social services for your family for decades to come. Don’t let your gripe hinder your grandchildren’s potential to be great.

I cannot speak for all children of Vietnam Veterans but my personal experience informs me that Vietnam Veterans have every reason to be bitter, resentful and angry at the government for the way they were treated upon their return, and the lack of support from supposed veteran support organisations for many years after their return. I share some of that resentment, however that was then, and this is now. This government has a vastly different political agenda to the one then. Don’t judge the acts of the present by the sins of the past. Doing so will deny the future the chance to be better. My own PhD research is unlocking many mysteries into how PTSD can be inherited. One dominant emerging theme that significantly contributes to its inheritance is lack of emotional expression and explanation from the Veteran to their children. Their children develop confusion, insecurities and dysfunctional emotional responses themselves. By shutting our children out of our emotions and rationalizations, we effectively undermine their sense of identity and wellbeing. Participation in this study will be a small, yet significant step in providing some sense of identity.

I urge all who read this to participate. You can make your contribution via the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at www.dva.gov.au or phoning your nearest office in your capital city.

Thank you for your time and I hope to share this journey with you.

Convention Program

Combat_Ken — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:38:18 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Registration Form

Combat_Ken — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:08:39 CDT

You can download this form to your computer and fill in the details. Then email a copy to cgcovv@live.com.au.

Alternatively you can fax it to: 61 7 3285 6639

Or post to: Children of Vietnam Veterans Network.

P.O. Box 246

PETRIE QLD 4502

News Flashes/Latest News

Combat_Ken — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:29:24 CST

Co-Ordinator

Kimber15 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:33:55 CST

Kimberly Winter

My name is Kimberly Winter and I am the eldest daughter of the Vietnam Veteran Sailor – yes I am what the civvies like to refer to as a Navy Brat but more than that I am the proud daughter of a Veteran and I am the Coordinator of the Support Groups for Children and Grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans.

I want to help them bridge the gap between the kids and grandkids and their Veterans Parents and grandparents. This gap for some is quite wide but we can all try to make it better.

My life has been varied with a mired of different cultures and places however one thing remained the same, the way our family was.

There of course would be things that if I could go back I would love to change but on a whole I wouldn’t want to change a thing. What “normal” kid can say that they have been swimming off the back of a Patrol Boat in the middle of the ocean?

With this in mind however my life has been no picnic with a parent in the Defence and as most of you would attest to, this is no easy feat either. There are ways things are done and there are social behaviours that are not acceptable and with this is a generation of people who feel as though they don’t fit in and things are not normal around them

The more time I spend with the people that I have now come to call family the more I realise that I am normal inside this world that seems to be so different to the normal civilian culture.

I do not have any certificates or dipolma's however what I do have is life experiences and trials and tribulations that have built what I have made myself in to today.

I am proud of my family both immediate and extended and I proud to know that in a small way I might be able to help someone who has been through what I have been through.

Please feel free to contact me anytime to chat or ask questions.

DNA of PTSD

Combat_Ken — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:11:49 CST

GENETICS OF PTSD (???)

There remains many uncertainties in the science behind the genetics involved in the heritability of PTSD. This means there are also many critics of the idea that genetics, or more precisely, epigenetics, plays a critical role in its intergenerational transmission.

The following information on this page represents a major thesis being undertaken by one researcher. It presents the culmination of many years of academic and scientific research in the field. It must be stated, that, at this stage it is merely a hypothesis - an idea - with substantial grounding in established and verified science. The author has been engaged in 5 years intensive academic PhD research to support this idea. So far the data and analysis are promising.

WHAT WE DO KNOW.

The genetic triggers for ADD/ADHD have been identified on the tip of Chromosome #5 in our DNA. ADHD is recognised as one of the conditions that is perpetuated in families with PTSD (Yehuda, 2002). It is therefore conceivable that chromosome #5 may also play a significant part in the genetic transmission of other PTSD symptoms. Focus for physical and personality traits is not on the “gene” itself, but on a segment of gene that contains the base letters that build a specific protein. (GATC)

However, there are believed to be several sections in several genes that are responsible for the genetic transmission of PTSD. It may be the result of several genes working either together at once, or in a sequence of effects that result in it. For example, one gene segment for building a protein that may be responsible for the transmission of ADD/ADHD may be roughly 1335 base letters long (GATC). It may be more, it may be less. These base letters are a set of precise instructions for creating a very specific protein that plays a part in the heritability of ADHD. These instructions dictate HOW the protein is to be made, WHEN to make it and WHEN to release it into the bloodstream, WHERE it is meant to go, and WHAT it is meant to do when it gets there.

Base letters are always matched: A "G" always pairs with an "A", and a "T" with a "C". One such base letter in a higly crucial location is a G. It is known to be responsible for the development of particular personality traits. In people with different personality traits, this base letter is an A. So, in a sense, we can say there are "G" people and there are "A" people. "G" people are commonly outgoing, socially confident and healthy. "A" people are commonly shy, withdrawn and prone to illness. Evidence suggests that in the case of the sudden and dramatic personality changes associated with PTSD, this "G" may be changed into an "A" through a hormone onslaught. In effect, although the "G" always pairs with an "A", they may switch. Even the 'mismatch repair gene' can be tricked by this switch and overlook the difference. The job of this mismatch repair gene is to correct any anomolies in the sequencing of base pairs.

Evidence also suggests the first and second generation offspring to the progenitor (the first person in the family line to acquire a condition) may inherit a "fragile G" or an "A", making them succeptible to a range of anxiety and depressive conditions. Yehuda (2002) terms this as a "PTSD-prone personality" but fails to consider the genetic influences.

(NB). It is important to restate that this information has not yet been tested and proven true or false in laboratory tests....yet. These postulations have been made by the author based on the culmination of many many sources both academically and scientifically sound that have tested related phenomena.

Let's consider some realities...

In the case of the Vietnam War...an adult person is removed from a passive Australian society where there are no, or few threats to their or their offspring's survival. They can be pretty confident that they will get home from work and pick their kids up from school without being blown up, or shot, or otherwise harmed. Then this individual is dropped into a hostile environment where the following may (and for many, did) occur:
* get shot at the moment they set foot on foreign soil,
* can't sleep more than 10 mins at a time due to 'scurrying' underground,
* therefore suffering prolonged sleep deprivation and heightened alertness,
* live in perpetual fear for 11 months of sudden, unexpected death, maiming or injury,
* witness colleagues and mates experiencing sudden unexpected death, maiming or injury.

If the duration and severity of threat-to-live is severe enough (studies indicate these adaptations occur instantaneously), certain biological processes are activated to ensure that individual's survival in that hostile environment. They adapt. They evolve. Of particular concern is the impact of the survival instinct on this scenario.

Species survival is paramount to evolution. Biology dictates that these survival traits are passed down through the generations to ensure survival of the species. This is a species-wide phenomenon. This is actually a biological survival mechanism for both the individual and their offspring………………….. It’s evolution.

Then, after several months of prolonged exposure to these hostilities, the individual is removed from that hostile environment....but their adaptations come with them...invisible, undetected, insideously lurking beneath the exterior. Those individual’s are returned to the placid environment, but they don’t leave their genetics behind. The behaviours and neurological and biological changes that resulted from that hostility come home with them, and are not accepted by their home environment.They are further subject to social rejection, ridicule and harassment after they fought every day to stay alive in the hope they would make it home. They are instructed to shut up and not discuss details of their experiences with anyone, including their spouse. They cannot wear their uniform in public for fear of being further harassed, abused and assaulted. From one hostile environment to another. No peace.

Then it gets interesting...

Epigentics enters the formula....

Memory Impairments

Combat_Ken — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:41:52 CDT

If you have experienced a life-threatening event, you may have what is called PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. One symptom of PTSD is the inability to remember 'chunks of stuff' before, during and after the event. This is quiet common. There can be quite a long period of blankness in ones memory and it may be several short instances. Nonetheless, these periods of loss of memory are termed "Fragmented" memory.

From my research, one of the most commonly frustrating qualities that the partners of children of Vietnam Veterans mention is their partner's inability to plan for the future. Interestingly, this quality is very similar to their Vietnam Veteran parent.

The reseach on memory suggests that if you have no memory of the past, you will experience difficulties in deriving a plan for the future because our expectancies for behaviour/action are based on our experiences: they are our cornerstone for predicting the possible. Like having a library of reference experiences, we predict based on what we have previously experienced. However, if that library has been burnt down, our references are lost. All our personal models for social interaction are based on what we 'know' - what we have learned from our experiences. For example, some of us may consider ourselves a good judge of character. My question is how did you become that? Trial and error? Experience...lots of it? Can you predict how a person will react simply by looking at them? How did you learn to do that?

How good a judge of character would you be if you lost your memory? How would you predict a person's intentions or behaviour?

Experience is what forges our personality and character. It is what, and who we are. We are today a product of all our experiences. Its what gives us our social and personal identity. It identifies us. If we have lost the memory of those experiences then we have likewise lost our identity. PTSD is a condition that involves memory loss and therefore a large part of identity loss.

Research is suggesting that PTSD symptoms may be heritable. This includes fragmented memory impairments. If the children of Vietnam Veterans are experiencing loss of memory, then research suggests they may also be experiencing difficulties in planning for their future.

There are other factors that may apply also. Currently my research is examining the loss of identity for children of Vietnam Veterans. The study also strongly suggests that the grandchildren of these Veterans are already experiencing difficulties in establishing theirs.

Other reasons may be because they can barely cope with the daily challenges of being who they are. Coping is not a move forward. Coping is going to bed each night with nothing positive gained: You have performed your basic functions on minimal energy, and can only see tomorrow as doing it all again. Management, however, involves positive growth. It means going to bed each night with a sense of achievement: You have gained something today and can wake up with extra vigor tomorrow. People who cope on a daily basis have little opportunity to plan. People who lean how to manage, can. Again, this involves memory. If you can turn your experiences into management strategies, you will gain. If you have no such memories you cannot.

Target Chromosomes

Combat_Ken — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:17:08 CDT

The following chromosomes contain genetic information for creating specific proteins that may be implimented in the intergenerational transmission of PTSD and its related (comorbid) conditions. Evidence is emerging that indicates these candidate genes may also have an influence in conditions such as ADHD, Bipolar, Autism, Aspergers and others. Consider the facts: Segments of genes create proteins for everything possible in the human genome. All they need is a signal from another gene or the environment to turn them on, or off.

Look closely at what may 'run' in your family. There may be a way to eliminate or, at least, restrict its impact.
(All images accessed at: http://genomics.energy.gov/gallery/chromosomes/gallery-01.html)

Promotional products

Combat_Ken — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:44:33 CDT

Anzac Day 2008 Kallangur, Qld.

These come with the word "Australia" and "New Zealand" located between "of Vietnam Veterans", and "Living the Legacy - Bridging the Gap" on the front of the shirt so our extended family in NZ can wear their shirts with pride too.

The colour was chosen because of its ability to go with just about anything.

The price of each shirt is currently $40 (+ $3.50 p&h). This is a fair price for a quality shirt these days. They come in adult and children's sizes.

Wear it with pride and show/don't show your parents. It will also look great on the grandkids. We have also experienced ourselves the high level of interest and commendation these shirts attract from the Veteran Community as a whole (not just Vietnam Veterans).

If you would like to order a shirt now, please email me with the amount and size you require. You only need to order one shirt but please consider that the minimum order to forward to the printers is 10 shirts at a time for bulk printing. I cannot request one-offs or small quantities. So you may be required to wait until I have at least 10 ordered. I will keep you informed.

I wish to thank one of our own members for providing the first run of these shirts and for, in her own words, "Burning the Books".

Mugs will also be available, along with... Caps (better than these "trucker" caps illustrated here), and baby t-shirts (full print on back like adult's shirt). These will be cheaper than the polo-shirts. Again minimum order applies.

Prices yet to be finalised.

FILM CLIPS

Combat_Ken — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:35:47 CDT

NOVA \| Ghost In Your Genes \| Preview \| PBS Source: www.youtube.com Scientists have long puzzled over the different fates of identical twins: both have the same genes, yet only one may develop a serious disease like cancer or autism. What's going on? Does some biological ...	A Model for Autism Source: www.youtube.com Dr. Arthur Beaudet explores the role of epigenetics in human disease with particular emphasis on genomic imprinting and its role in autism. Series: "M.I.N.D. Institute Lecture Series on Neurodevelopmental Disorders" [1/2007] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 12139]	Epigenetics and Cancer Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Hh7b3Nxxc Interesting radio interview discussing how environmental influences can turn on cancer genes.
The Human Genome Project Video - 3D Animation Introduction Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuUpnAz5y1g	DNA Structure Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8dk5iS1f0&feature=related	Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcTayxEblio&feature=related How mistakes can be made in DNA replication...clearly mentions the environment and chemicals can damage DNA
Neurofeedback for ADHD Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYLtM0RrIJU	Documentary about Asperger's Syndrome Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAfWfsop1e0&feature=related	45 Min Australian Documentary on Depression and Bipolar Disorder Called Beating The Black Dog Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-IGauEfh8

ARTICLES IN MEDIA

Combat_Ken — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:10:02 CDT

From: http://www.preventionaction.org/passing-down-trauma-generation-generation

Passing down trauma from generation to generation

3 December 2007

Does trauma linger in families? Are the children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors likely to have been scarred by stressful family environments, guilt, and poor parenting? Or will they have learned resilience from their parents and grandparents?

The research on these matters is not clear. Some studies suggest that the offspring of Holocaust survivors are more prone to psychological problems; others show that the second and third generations are about as well adjusted as anyone else.

In many cases, there is a clear possibility that the researchers who conduct the studies and the individuals who participate in them will have allowed their assumptions to color the findings. Researchers may assume that the offspring of survivors cannot fare as well as those who have escaped contact with such terrible events. So they may pose questions, choose subjects or interpret findings in such a way as to confirm those preconceptions.
To circumvent such problems, Miri Scharf of the University of Haifa in Israel used data that did not have its origins in any study of the long-term effects of trauma. Rather, it had been collected during research into the functioning of a group of adolescent boys and their parents during the teenagers’ transition from living at home to entering mandatory service in the Israeli army.

As part of this study, mothers and fathers provided demographic information, which included declarations as to whether either of their own parents was a Holocaust survivor. To examine any lingering effects of trauma, Scharf compared the 88 families in the study with Holocaust backgrounds to other unaffected families.
She found that adolescents in families where both parents were the offspring of Holocaust survivors were different from their peers. They perceived their parents to be less accepting and less supportive of their independence, and they reported having less positive self-perceptions than their counterparts.
Additionally, according to their peers in the army, this group demonstrated poorer adjustment during basic training than fellow recruits who had only one parent with a Holocaust background. Indeed, parents and adolescents in families where only the mother or the father had a Holocaust background did not appear to be as affected by the Holocaust legacy.

Miri Scharf is reported as telling the Israeli newspaper Haaretz online "When only one parent is a survivor, the kids do fine. The problems begin when their homes have too many dark shadows in them."
Herself the daughter of Holocaust survivors, she says she became aware of the effects of living with "third-generation emotional baggage" when she was working with students whose grandparents were survivors. "Some of them spoke of having a hard time trusting, of their fear of getting screwed over. This comes from a terrible air of suspiciousness at home."

Scharf’s analysis suggests that trauma does indeed linger in families across generations. With these insights in mind, when considering how to help other children in trouble, it might be important to investigate not only their own experiences, but also that of their parents and grandparents.

• Summary of “Long-term effects of trauma: Psychosocial functioning of the second and third generation of Holocaust survivors” by Miri Scharf in Development and Psychopathology, Volume 19, Issue 2, pp603-622, 2007.

From: http://www.preventionaction.org/prevention-news/genes-may-influence-fault-lines-beneath-trauma/607

Genes may influence the fault-lines beneath the trauma

14 May 2008

Physicians and therapists used to think that extremely stressful experiences caused post-traumatic stress disorder in just about everyone. But research is gradually painting a more complex picture. It appears that individuals who have a certain genetic makeup andhave had stressful experiences earlier in life are most vulnerable to PTSD following later trauma.

The exact causes of PTSD are not well understood, but a recent study by Kerry J Ressler and colleagues at Emory University has contributed to this emerging understanding. They surveyed 900 adults, mostly African Americans, aged 18 to 81 years, from poor, urban neighborhoods.

Because of their backgrounds, many of the participants had severe traumatic experiences as both children and adults. The researchers also collected saliva samples from participants to collect genetic information.
They found that, by itself, abuse in childhood was not enough to increase PTSD symptoms following adult trauma. The symptoms appeared to increase only in individuals who were abused in childhood and had certain variations in the stress-related gene called FK506 binding protein (5FKBP5). Interestingly, the researchers also found that other variations of this gene seemed to protect people from an increase in symptoms following trauma.

More research is needed before such evidence can be used in the real world. One possible outcome is that soldiers (and others going into high stress situations) could undergo screening to determine their ability to handle trauma.

But the fabric of ordinary life might also benefit By some measures post-traumatic stress disorder in US inner cities is said to be as prevalent as it is among populations of war veterans. The Emory team noted another, perhaps more commonsense implication of the research: "If we could simply reduce childhood abuse, it would have a major impact on mental health".

[See also “Genes and Post-Traumatic Stress” in TIME magazine and ”Combined Factors May Change Biology Of Stress-Response System As It Develops” in Medical News Today]

• Summary of “Association of FKBP5 Polymorphisms and Childhood Abuse with Risk of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Adults” by Elisabeth Binder, Kerry J. Ressler, and colleagues from Emory University and other facilities in Journal of the American Medical Association, March 19, 2008, Volume 299, Number 11, pp 1291-1305.

Links to related sites

Combat_Ken — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:13:09 CDT

VITAL - Australian National Health Study info
http://www.dva.gov.au/health/research/fsp/vv/myth_busters.htm

5RAR - Great site....
http://www.5rar.asn.au/contents.htm

Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT)
http://www.onmyweb.net/~vvt/grants.html

Vietnam Veterans Federation (Sunshine Coast - Qld)
http://www.vvfsc.org.au/

Vietnam Veterans Federation (Nerang - Qld)
http://vvfaqnerang.org/index.html

Vietnam Veterans Federation (VVF)
http://www.vvfagranville.org.au/

Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study (COVVHS)
http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/carryon/web/COVVHSlinks.html

RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association
http://raafvva.org.au/

Vietnam Veterans of America
http://www.vva.org/

VVAA (Geelong and districts)
http://www.geelongvets.org.au/GDVVAAWEBSITE/index.htm

Partners of Vietnam Veterans Assn
http://www.pva.org.au/

Vietnam Veterans Association (SA)
http://www.vvaa-sa.asn.au/

Royal Australian Army Service Corps
Vietnam Veteran's Association
http://www.raasc.org.au/

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia
http://www.vvaa.org.au/

Mental Health Association ( QLD ) Inc.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.au/?PHPSESSID=ba1b8474ba07b734...ge=authorise&page=editor&action=view&id=60

S.H.A. REPORTS

Combat_Ken — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:27:42 CDT

This page contains copies of reports submitted to VVAA (Qld) State Council and VVAA National. Some content has been edited from the original report for security purposes. Reports are from theperspectives of the State Health Advisor, and Founder or Co-ordinator of the Children & Grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans (Australia) Network.

This document provides a report on the recent activities of Ken O’Brien, State Health Advisor, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Queensland Branch). DATE: February 9, 2008 LOCATION: Sunshine Coast – Caloundra RSL
ACTIVITIES: PhD Presentation.
COMMENTS: Upon arrival at the Caloundra RSL it was noticed there was little advertising to promote the event. This may have contributed to the low attendance. There was a mix up with the equipment and there was a last minute rush to get it running. However, all was eventually set up and the presentation went without further hitches. Ms Kim Winter, Co-ordinator of the Children and Grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans Network and another Daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, accompanied me to this event. Kim is the daughter of a Navy Vietnam Veteran and both passionate and dedicated to this project. Several of the attendees remained afterwards to express gratitude and compliment the presentation. They further took time to share personal and sensitive information regarding their own situation and issues evolving within their children and grandchildren. It was decided to involve the media with advertising the next presentation to improve attendance.

DATE: February 12, 2008
LOCATION: Rockhampton Frenchville Sports Club
ACTIVITIES: Special guest of the Central Queensland VVAA Sub-branch at DVA presentation.
COMMENTS: After arriving in Rockhampton the day before, I was invited by Nick Quigley (CQ VVAA Sub branch President) to attend a DVA seminar being held at the Frenchville Sports Club. He stated it would be good to be “in their face”. There were four DVA officials at the seminar, including the Deputy Commissioner, Alison Stanley. During the many breaks we had I was introduced by Nick to each of these officials. He made a specific request to Alison to allow me ten minutes at the end to promote my upcoming public presentation on Saturday, March 8, 2008. Alison generously provided this opportunity, which proved highly advantageous as the DVA officials remained for some time after the seminar to discuss my research with me.
The Deputy Commissioner appeared concerned I was not receiving financial support from the RSL (Qld) but was impressed when I informed her of the support I have received from the Queensland VVAA sub branch, the Pine Rivers RSL the Brisbane North VVAA sub branch. Nick then took me around Rockhampton making arrangement for the upcoming CQ presentation. The next day I had a television interview on the local news. This was broadcast during the evening news the following evening. I missed the opportunity to see it. The following day I visited Yeppoon and Emu Park RSLs to promote my presentation and maintain contact with the local veteran community. I returned to Brisbane Saturday 16th.

DATE: February 29, 2008
LOCATION: Sunshine Coast – Caloundra RSL
ACTIVITIES: Gold Coast Children & Grandchildren Network meeting.
COMMENTS: Following sound assurances from the co-ordinator I did not attend the first meeting of the Gold Coast network. I have not yet heard if the event was successful. The fact I have heard nothing from the Co-ordinator may indicate the event was not successful. This strongly suggests the group needs assistance locally with advertising and promotion.

DATE: March 8, 2008
LOCATION: Rockhampton, Central Queensland.
ACTIVITIES: PhD Presentation.
COMMENTS: The presentation was highly successful. The assistance of Nick and Phil Aplin (sub-branch secretary) was not in vain. Government officials, community service workers, parents and members of the general public attended. Ms Kim Winter accompanied me. She provided a vital and critical link with the mothers and daughters who attended the presentation. This made a significant difference in the ‘relatability’ of the presentation. Kim could describe concepts in ways I could not to these attendees, while I related to the officials, fathers and sons in the audience. A video recording of the presentation was taken on the evening. This can be copied to DVD and made available to those requesting copies. Again, there were several personal and sensitive disclosures during, and, particularly, after the presentation. I hope the CQ sub-branch will follow-up before my return in a few weeks to do a second presentation at the request of the sub-branch. While in the area we visited the Veterans Retreat, “Cockscomb” and received a warm reception. My parents had their first experience of the Retreat, despite several invitations from Nick and the local network. I expect, like me, they’ll be back.

This summary of activities does not include events involving related parties or electronic and telephone communications with media, government or veteran officials. Of significant mention, is the number of people (young and old, mothers and fathers, children and grandchildren) indicating they need support and back-up from the Vietnam Veteran community. This provides a dichotomy of quandaries for the VVAA. From this there can be an opportunity to increase membership, while on the other hand it would require resources to provide this assistance. Understanding is the critical element of resilience and survival for the offspring of Vietnam Veterans with PTSD, and, indeed, for the veteran themselves. This demands communication between the Veteran and their children, grandchildren and partner/s. The VVAA can initiate this communication and provide both the vehicle and the motive for such communication. Currently, no other post-service organisation provides a suitable service of the nature necessary to meet the specific issues faced by Vietnam Veteran families, their children and communities. Therefore, the VVAA is in a unique position to develop and implement a policy and program like no other that supersedes any in operation by the DVA and the RSL currently. The National Health Study being conducted into the health and wellbeing of Vietnam Veterans’ Families has much to offer, yet it is already filled with gaps and inconsistencies in policy and implementation in the early stages. This is foreboding of data manipulation to meet “official” mandates and outcomes. The VVAA is in the position to capture the ‘truth’ through these children and grandchildren’s networks. If nurtured, they can provide rich information that may correct any outcomes from “official” data. Other unique opportunities involve families of the younger ‘veterans’ (a term they tend to not associate themselves with). The VVAA can be seen to be proactively supporting PTSD issues embedded in the families of Gulf war, East Timor, Afganistan and other war and peacekeeping veterans.

This belongs to the VVAA.

Pine Rivers Presentation

Combat_Ken — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:10:56 CDT

Kim Winter on the lecturn addressing the assembly at Pine Rivers RSL Sub branch in Kallangur	Ken mid-presentation	Ken in full flight.
.

PhD Presentation Dates

Combat_Ken — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:16:34 CDT

This is by no means the final list. More locations will be added in rural areas at a later date.

At this stage, due the conditions of funding, the tour will only cover significant veteran populations throughout Queensland. If you are not in one of these locations, but are able to travel to attend, it would be both to your advantage, and greatly appreciated. As funding permits, the tour will travel to other centres and regions in Australia. This list is PROPOSED only, as venues and times are still to be confirmed.

Date	Time	Venue
February 9	6pm	Caloundra RSL
March 8	6pm	Central Queensland: Rockhampton VVAA
May 28	7pm	Pine Rivers District RSL, KALLANGUR Qld

PTSD in Society

Combat_Ken — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:08:12 CDT

Social PTSD

How does a passive society like Australia's contribute to the intergenerational transmission of PTSD symptoms?

Back to our scenario...Vietnam Vet is retured to Aussie society and forced to adapt yet again to another (albeit, not as extreme) hostile environment. Their genetic adaptations come back with them and are passed onto their children, who, in turn, pass it on to their children - the grandchildren of the Vietnam Vet.

A human condition really becomes an issue when there is a mismatch between the behaviour of the individual and the norms of the society in which they live. If we lived in a hostile environment, then the adaptive responses we call PTSD would be the norm and other behaviours would be inappropriate. Thus children born into societies and cultures where there is a long history of violence will have significant difficulties adjusting to Australian society and Australian children will not survive long in their society. Thus PTSD can also be considered a social condition, rather than a personal one.

Our society sets certain standards of behaviour that must be upheld and adhered to. Failure to do so results in an unacceptance of that behaviour such that it is deemed inappropriate, abnormal, extreme and deviant. One of the most influencial and powerful behaviour management tools in our society is our education system. Children who have developed to the cusp of self-awareness are thrust into schools and forced to adapt to strict behavioural boundaries that were set by the previous generation. The principles of schooling are based on a "one size fits all" policy. Learning experiences are standardised, and thus, so are the children. All are treated with the same initial set of principles that, in most cases of familial PTSD, are far from appropriate. Evidence indicates this policy of standardisation both ascerbates and perpetuates the symptoms of PTSD in children entering the institution of school.

PTSD is considered by mental health professionals an event-related condition (APA, 2000). This means that if you did not experience a life-threatening event, you cannot have PTSD. The son or daughter of a Vietnam Veteran (or grandchild for that matter) cannot have PTSD if they did not go to war, or experience a life-threatening event.....yet they can have a condition that closely resembles the symptomology. Mental health professionals give these groups of complex reactions to a misunderstanding environment certain labels such as ADHD, Autism, Aspergers, Bipola, Mania and other anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, they generally fail to give consideration to the presence of familial factors such as comorbid conditions in their parents and grandparents. It is also frequently overlooked whether the child was conceived pre, or post trauma.

Therefore a significant amount of understanding about a child's presenting condition can be overlooked and neglected. The subsequent diagnosis is thus ignorant of these influences and the medication and treatment will often have little or no effect. Take Ritalin for example. It is used to manage the behaviour of children with ADHD. It is also known to destroy Pyramid Cells in their developing brain. Pyramid cells are critical in memory consolidation, retention and expression. Thus children who have been prescribed Ritalin for extended periods during critical periods of neurological development, may have memory difficulties in their early adulthood and for the rest of their lives....its amost a "premedicated dementure".

Now for the scarey bit....

Drugs alter the body's natural environment. They "fool" the body and brain. In essence, they provide an artificial environment. We have already discussed how the body adapts to changes in its environment by adapting genetics. This occurs in relation to everything from life-threatening trauma to diet. It explains the obesity epidemic. "You are what you eat". If we eat genetically modified (GM) foods our bodies absorb that genetic information and we may be taking on those characteristics ourselves. Consider heightened levels of growth hormones in chickens and the development of excessive breast tissue in middle-aged men. (Yes I am aware that men create higher levels of estrogen when they reach middle age, but the historical evidence does not support the widespread extent that we are currently witnessing). There are increasingly more and more chemicals, additives and preservatives in our food. Perhaps, on their own, these chemicals, additives and preservatives may not be harmful, but, when they combine in our bloodstream they may produce a chemical cocktail that has consequences we can only imagine in our nightmares.

However, for many parents Ritalin is like a gift from God. It settles their child and allows them to be almost manageable. Yet in the same way that panadol does not "cure" a headache - it simply masks the symptoms until the brain can produce its own chemical balance - homeostasis, Ritalin and similar drugs do not "cure" ADHD. The child still has ADHD. (And probably a memory impairment to boot).

So, instead of trying to force a square peg into a round hole, we should chip the hole until the peg can fit. Instead of trying to change the child (evolution is difficult to reverse) to fit the system, perhaps the system can change to fit the child. Focus on what the child CAN DO instead of what they cannot. Adapt their learning environment and syllabus to suit their specific talents and abilities. And this starts at home with their parents.

This scenario has a ripple effect throughout the individual's life. It affects them again, in high school, employment, relationships, etc. These key social institutions need to be aware of the impact and implications of the continued neglect of this human condition.

Neurology of PTSD

Combat_Ken — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:37:18 CDT

What happens to the brain in the event of a significant life-threatening event?

Most Vietnam vets and others reading this may already be familiar with terms and principals. However, there is much they may not be aware of.

The limbic system is responsible for several critical neurological functions, the most critical of all is the regulation of emotions. This system of interconnected structures includes the hippocampus, mammilliary bodies, amygdala, fornix cingulate cortex and septum.

Recent research strongly suggests these anatomical, chemical, neurological and behavioural changes are heritable.

It is well understood that the left thalamus processes incoming emotional information that is destined for specific processing locations in the left hemisphere and the right thalamus does the same for the contralateral hemisphere. The brain can then determine whether stimuli or events are potentially life-threatening & initiate the stress response.

In PTSD, the repeated, prolonged flood of steroid hormones from recurring images & emotions, causes the respective input channels to fuse into one combined input channel feeding both thalami's with identical information.

Therefore the some of the information that should be processed by the LH is sent to the RH & vice versa. This causes confusion. The brain cannot decide whether the stimuli represents a threat or not, & choses the default option – threat.

And it may be a heritable survival trait…

Stress Management Threshold: Onset of Trauma

Combat_Ken — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:36:28 CDT

The following graphs are representative of both “Whole-of-person” and on the sub-genetic Base Letter level because it appears it may be a change in one base letter can produce changes in an entire individual….and their offspring.

These aim to provide a graphical representation of how a change in the expression of a protein of a gene (remember, a change in just a single base letter can produce a very different protein) can alter a person's tollerance to stress hormones, and therefore how they react excessively to what other people may consider as relatively normal levels of stress.

It also serves to illustrate how children born with the genetic memory of their parent's and grandparent's experiences can acquire any of the widening range of issues associated with impaired emotional management. This includes fragmented memory, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, Bipola, Schizophrenia, Mania, Dyslexia, anxiety and depression, suicide, alcoholism, drugs, crime, delinquency, etc, etc...

No familial or personal trauma history: normal stress tolerance threshold.

©Copyright 2008 Ken O’Brien In a person with no familial history of trauma there is a 'normal' level of socially acceptable tolerance to stress. Teh corticotrophic steroids and hormones that regulate the stress response do not produce adverse social effects. The body's systems can compensate for levels higher than normal operating levels. There is little 'drift' outside the socially-acceptable realm of normal behaviour.

Stress tolerance threshold altered by personal traumatic event/s.

Take that same person without any trauma in their family's history and expose them to a significant trauma where they perceive their life to be in danger, and some organism-wide catastrophic changes occur to ensure that person has the optimum chance at survival. A person who has grown up in a placid environment and then dropped into a hostile environment, where their life is under constant threat, will adapt rapidly to enhance their survival odds.

However, with diminshed capacity to regulate their stress responses, their behaviour becomes 'excessive' and 'inappropriate' and they last for longer time periods.

Post-trauma stress tolerance threshold: familial history or personal experience.

Children and grandchildren born into families where there is a long history of traumatic experiences, or even just one critically intense traumatic experience are at risk of being born with a reduced capacity to manage emotional responses to socially acceptable levels. They may have the genetic predisposition for developing anxiety and depression-related disorders and conditions.

So it may be that, in the children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans with severe PTSD, they inherited a specific base letter which may have a predisposed “fragility” or lower threshold of tolerance for the influence of the fight/flight hormones.

This segment of the gene remains unchanged until an environmental event triggers the release of sufficient hormones to force a change in this base letter.

For example, research indicates a strong genetic influence on alcoholism, and claims that traumatic stress can affect the expression of the protein responsible for the trait of alcoholism. There is a high degree of alcoholism in the Vietnam veteran community, and perhaps in their offspring.