All the best research has come from outside, he said. His test is still experimental, but for the first time, Urnovitz's research shows that soldiers who were exposed to different toxic environments on the battlefield or during cleanup appear to have signs of cell damage. Urnovitz believes that the study and treatment of Gulf War syndrome could lead to breakthroughs in treating other chronic diseases, from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to cancer. If we solve this, then I believe we'll start solving problems like AIDS, cancer, neurologic and autoimmune diseases. One key is to understand that Gulf War syndrome and other chronic diseases may be caused by a complex combination of factors rather than one causative agent, he said.
Chronic diseases are actually multifactorial.
More research is needed. But for the first time, independent researchers are beginning to unravel a mystery that remains one legacy of the Gulf War. The Web Copyright 2000 ABC News Internet Ventures.