The Nuclear Community Charity Fund Chromosomal study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Cytogenetic assessment of British nuclear test veterans and their families.

• IRAS ID

  215695

• Contact name

  Rhona M Anderson

• Contact email

  Rhona.Anderson@brunel.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Brunel University London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  The need to research for potential genetic damage amongst British nuclear test veterans and the possibility of transmitted genetic alterations in their children has been a cornerstone requirement identified by members of the nuclear community for many years. The recent award by the Aged Veteran Fund (AVF) is now enabling such investigations to take place in a study led by Brunel University London in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The project is part of a larger portfolio coordinated by the Nuclear Community Charity Fund (NCCF) on behalf of British Nuclear Test Veteran Association.
  This project will carry out chromosomal analysis of cells from nuclear test veterans and their children. The study will recruit 50 veteran family trios (father, mother, child) to provide samples for fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)-based analyses to ask if there is any evidence of altered frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in veterans and/or their children when compared to 50 control family groups. Participants will be selected from a defined group of veterans known to have been present at nuclear tests and inclusion will not be related to ill-health. The control group of veterans will be matched on age, service, rank and will have served at the same time in tropical regions but will be verified as not being present at test sites. All veterans will be interviewed for their medical and service history. Knowledge gained from this project will make significant in-roads into clarifying ongoing uncertainties about the possible impact on health by providing cytogenetic evidence to address identified issues and/or to dispel unfounded concerns. Outputs from this work will benefit the broader nuclear community by providing a scientific rationale that will improve understanding and, if genetic effects are observed, to inform health and social care providers to better support this community’s needs.

• REC name

  London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/LO/0273

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Feb 2017

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion