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Monday, 26 November 2012
Page: 13370

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Debate resumed on the motion by Mr Stephen Jones:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common form of inherited motor and sensory neuropathy;

(b) there is no cure for CMT and while most sufferers live a normal lifespan, many do so with severe disabilities;

(c) estimates are that around one in every 2,500 Australians is affected by CMT;

(d) while CMT is more common than diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy, there is a low level of community awareness of CMT, particularly amongst Indigenous Australians;

(e) genetic counselling and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis means that those carrying the CMT gene can now conceive without the 50 per cent risk of passing CMT to their offspring; and

(f) despite the advances, detection and genetic counselling, low awareness and detection of CMT means that this disease is still spreading to future generations, when it could be stopped;

(2) notes the need for more investment for research into the cause, care and cure of CMT; and

(3) as a first step, calls on the Government to provide funding for projects which will lead to the eradication of CMT.