§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has of the causes, and number of cases, of the group of diseases known as spinal muscular atrophy; what research is being conducted, and where, into its causes; and how much money is being spent on research into the disease.
§ Mr. John PattenThe conditions known collectively as spinal muscular atrophy appear to be genetic in origin. The incidence is thought to be in the region of one in 5,000 to 6,000 births. I understand that clinical research into spinal muscular atrophy is being undertaken at the Hammersmith hospital. We do not have details of other research specifically into these conditions or of expenditure. Much fundamental research is, however, being conducted into factors determining normal nerve cell maturation and this is expected to lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in spinal muscular atrophy.