Name

Dr. Alice Jones

English 1020, L16

03 February 2021

Research Proposal

1. Your research questions

The chemical dioxin, otherwise known as “Agent Orange”, was used during the Vietnam conflict, and is still causing serious problems for those who were exposed to it. What is being done to mitigate those problems caused using Agent Orange?

2. Working title

The working title for my project is: “Agent Orange, Then and Now.”

3. A summary of your project. Identify your topic and describe what you will be looking at in terms of the topic? Include some key terms and additional questions that will guide your research.

I will be looking for information about dioxin. Dioxin was a defoliant used during the Vietnam War. Little was known at the time about the affects it would have on those who were exposed to this chemical. Dioxin to this day is still causing birth defects and shortened life spans along with multiple other diseases. Additionally, the United States is spear heading remediation efforts in Vietnam and I would like to learn more about the processes used to clean those areas affected by dioxin.

4. A description of your purpose for working on this project. Why did you choose this topic? What do you hope to learn from this project?

I have chosen to research dioxin because I have several family members who were exposed to it. My uncle was drafted at the age of eighteen and sent to fight in the conflict. Years later, he developed prostate cancer because of his exposure. His time in combat was cut short after receiving a gunshot wound to the head which he survived. Another person close to me, my father, was deployed twice to Vietnam. He spent a considerable amount of time there and was exposed to Agent Orange. As of recently, my father was declared cancer free but only after years of battling esophageal and stomach cancer. I am also curious about the potential birth defects caused to the children of those soldiers who were exposed.

5. A discussion of the key challenges you will face, or you imagine you will face. What concerns do you have regarding the research/project?

Some of the key challenges I think I will face will be finding reliable sources for information. The USA.GOV website provides a good bit of information, but I do think there will be some challenges to overcome when finding information outside of the government website. Although finding numerous sources has proven to be a challenge, the information I have uncovered so far has revealed there will be plenty to write about. I am particularly interested in the removal of the remaining dioxin and what methods are being used in the remediation process. I am also hoping to find information about those companies who have been contracted to clean up the remaining dioxin in Vietnam.