Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 5.djvu/562

 112 STAT. 3320 PUBLIC LAW 105-368 —NOV. 11, 1998 Deadline. (C) the increased risk of the illness among human or animal populations exposed to the agents, hazards, or medicines or vaccines; (D) whether a plausible biological mechanism or other evidence of a causal relationship exists between exposure to the agents, hazards, or medicines or vaccines and the illnesses; (E) in any case where information about exposure levels is available, whether the evidence indicates that the levels of exposure of the studied populations were of the same magnitude as the estimated likely exposures of Gulf War veterans; and (F) whether there is an increased risk of illness among Gulf War veterans in comparison with appropriate peer groups. (2) The Academy shall include in its reports under subsection (h) a full discussion of the scientific evidence and reasoning that led to its conclusions under this subsection. (f) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL SCIENTIFIC STUDIES. — (1) Under the agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences shall make any recommendations that it considers appropriate for additional scientific studies (including studies relating to treatment models) to resolve areas of continuing scientific uncertainty relating to the health consequences of service in the Persian Gulf War or exposure to toxic agents, environmental or wartime hazards, or preventive medicines or vaccines associated with Gulf War service. (2) In making recommendations for additional studies, the Academy shall consider the available scientific data, the value and relevance of the information that could result from such studies, and the cost and feasibility of carrying out such studies. (g) SUBSEQUENT REVIEWS.—(1) Under the agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct on a periodic and ongoing basis additional reviews of the evidence and data relating to its activities under this section. (2) As part of each review under this subsection, the Academy shall— (A) conduct as comprehensive a review as is practicable of the information referred to in subsection (c), the evidence referred to in subsection (e), and the data referred to in subsection (f) that became available since the last review of such information, evidence, and data under this section; and (B) make determinations under the subsections referred to in subparagraph (A) on the basis of the results of such review and all other reviews previously conducted for purposes of this section. (h) REPORTS BY ACADEMY.— (1) Under the agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs periodic written reports regarding the Academy's activities under the agreement. (2) The first report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted not later than 2 years after entry into the agreement under subsection (b). That report shall include— (A) the determinations and discussion referred to in subsection (e); and (B) any recommendations of the Academy under sub section (f).

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