§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research is currently being sponsored by her Department, by the Medical Research Council or by voluntary bodies into the possibilities of genetic screening for members of families with a history of Huntington's Chorea; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenResearch into the incidence and family distribution of Huntington's Chorea is being carried on by the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and by Dr. A. J. Caro of East Dereham, Norfolk. The latter study, which includes also work on genetic counselling, is supported from funds provided by my Department. I am not aware of any research sponsored from voluntary sources.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what facilities are available for the treatment of Huntington's Chorea; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what is her estimate of the number of people suffering from Huntington's Chorea in the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. OwenHuntington's Chorea is a chronic disease of the central nervous system which, in the early stages, is usually treated symptomatically by family doctors with support from other community services. As regards hospital services, facilities for diagnosis and assessment of the condition are generally available, but I am aware that more units for376W younger disabled people are needed and my Department has been encouraging their provision. In each region there are also specialist centres for the provision of genetic counselling.
There are no statistics of the incidence of this condition but I understand that the number of people suffering from it is believed to be some 3,000.