DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Early day motion 1946, tabled 2 July 2008 by Nigel Evans (Conservative). Signed by 89 members.

That this House notes that Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle wasting disease; recognises that DMD is caused by variations in the dystrophin gene on the X chromosome that results in a loss of the protein dystrophin in muscle cells and primarily affects boys; realises that most boys with DMD are confined to a wheelchair by the age of 11 and that the average life expectancy for DMD sufferers is early to mid twenties; understands that DMD occurs in one in every 3,500 male births worldwide and that 100 children a year are born in the UK with DMD; further notes that there is currently no cure for DMD which means that two children per week die in the UK from DMD and that it is the biggest genetic killer in the UK; further recognises that there are only two specialist DMD centres in the UK in Newcastle and London; and calls on the Government to increase funding into research projects and existing clinical trials and to improve the translational network of DMD specialist centres across the UK so that families have access to the best possible care.

Signatures by party: Labour 53, Liberal Democrat 17, Conservative 12, DUP 4, Independent 1, Independent Labour 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.