The study is exploring the idea that the health of children of Vietnam veterans suffers in comparison with children of the same general population.

The Federal Government has pledged $13 million to conduct the study, but more people are needed to ensure it goes ahead.

Vietnam veteran Alan Lane and his daughter Tiffany are taking part.

Alan’s three children have each endured health issues, including depression and cancer.

Tiffany is participating because she firmly believes the children of Vietnam veterans have poorer health than their peers.

“We are trying to get some sort of conclusive evidence, it’s all just circumstantial at the moment,’’ she said.

According to Alan, of the 60,000 men conscripted between 1965 and 1972, there were 19,500 who served in Vietnam.

For the study to be conclusive, children of those who served and those who did not are needed.

“We need the children of those who didn’t serve to use as comparison,’’ he said.

“There are many veterans’ families who have been lobbying extremely hard for this healthy study for many years and for the study to have some chance of being successful, as many veterans and their families as possible are required to register.

The number of Vietnam veterans targeted for the study was 3000. More than 10,000 requests were sent out, but only 2120 had registered by November 2.

Requests were also sent to 9655 veterans of the Vietnam era who did not serve, but only 1141 of the 3000 needed have responded.

The number of children targeted was 1860, with only 593 registered until November.

“If insufficient register for the comparison group, the health study will be fruitless and fall over,’’ Alan said.

Registration for the study can be completed online through the Department of Veterans Affairs website or by phoning 1800 502 302.