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Research Concerns

We have had some flak recently for our Research Funding.  This is a official word from CMT United Kingdom: CMT United Kingdom is working with University College London Hospitals Trust to fund some pioneering research into CMT 1A. The three year project will aim to identify the genetic modifying factors for the common form of CMT 1A due to the chromosome 17 duplication and will use DNA samples from patients that have already been collected in the Centre and in other centres around the world. The research will take place at the MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, which is at the National Hospital for Neurology.

Despite recent concerns from CMT United Kingdom members and the general public, the organisation can confirm that no animals will be used during this specific research project. The funding will be paid directly to the Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, not to the Medical Research Council.

CMT United Kingdom acknowledges valid concerns about the use of animals in medical research. However, to find treatments and, ultimately, cures for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease and other neuromuscular conditions, we believe that the use of animals in research is essential in order to derive full benefit from scientific advances.CMT United Kingdom has never funded research using animals directly. 

However, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, which has funded CMT research in the past (including the Vitamin C trial), funds research which utilises a wide variety of methods, some of which involve the use of animals. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign will not fund animal research unless it is essential and there is no alternative.