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PRESS RELEASE
ME CHARITY CALLS FOR MRC TO STOP WASTING MONEY ON INAPPROPRIATE RESEARCH
A national ME charity representing severely affected ME patients today called for the Medical
Research Council (MRC) to stop any further funding for psychological and psychiatric research
into ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). The call is being made by the 25% ME Group supported by
The Countess of Mar and other ME organisations (see below).
Simon Lawrence from the 25% ME Group said today "If the funding available for cancer
research was all directed at how cancer patients think and feel about their disease instead of
the physiology of the illness there would be an outcry.
For years the severely ill ME patients we represent have seen the MRC refuse funding for
biomedical research whilst giving grants for psychological research. In the last year alone six
studies designed to investigate the pathophysiology and epidemiology of ME have all been
denied funding by the MRC. Yet the well funded PACE trial which many of the ME charities
wanted to boycott has been granted an extension of funding. It is totally unacceptable that a
hugely important study which is investigating gene expression in ME and which could lead to a
diagnostic test, is being funded by patient-based charities whilst trials of psychological
therapy are receiving millions of pounds in funding from the MRC."
Simon Lawrence pulls no punches when he says "Public money is being wasted on research that
will be of little benefit and may actually be harmful to ME patients. It is about time serious
money was spent on the pathology of this devastating illness."
The Countess of Mar, endorsed by Dr Ian Gibson MP, made the following comment, "As a
member of the Inquiry led by Dr Ian Gibson MP, as well as Patron of the 25% ME Group and of
a number of other ME charities, I have long been concerned about the allocation of taxpayers'
money to fund psychosocial behavioural research whilst proposals for biomedical research are
rejected, ostensibly because they do not reach the high standards thought necessary by the
peer reviewers. Over the last decade many millions of pounds have been squandered on
research which has totally failed to find cause, relief or cure for this painful, demoralising and
socially unaccepted physical illness. It is high time that the funding organisations recognise
that they should now support some of the fine research, conducted with minimal private
funding, that is pointing to the direction in which, I am convinced, solutions will be found."
Biomedical research which is already producing significant findings and is the only research
capable of leading to a treatment and cure for ME.
Fibromyalgia Association UK is holding a one day conference in Liverpool on the
7th September 2007. Details on Fibromyalgia Association UK web site.
Janet Graham and Carla Maclaren hope to attend as representatives of the group
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