ONECLICK WRITE TO THE MRC ABOUT BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH INTO ME/CFS
 
Angela Kennedy, Director of The One Click Group,  has written to Colin Blakemore, 

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Professor Colin Blakemore
Chief Executive
Medical Research Council
20 Park Crescent
London W1B 1AL

20th May 2004



Dear Professor Blakemore,

MRC FUNDING FOR RESEARCH INTO ME/CFS

I am writing to you as the mother and carer of a young woman seriously ill with
and severely disabled by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (also known as Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome).

I am aware that the Department of Health have asked the Medical Research Council
to develop a research strategy with regard to this serious illness. The MRC
(according to your website):

".promotes a balanced portfolio of medical and related biological research aimed
at:

* improving our knowledge of the underlying basis of health and disease and

* delivering enhanced prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disorders."

As you will be aware, there have been many legitimate and serious concerns
expressed by members of the ME community, including some of the charities, about
the serious lack of research into the organic (or biological) aetiology of
ME/CFS in Britain, linked to a lack of funding, including that by government.
Many members of the ME/CFS community and their supporters are also concerned
that a disproportionate amount of funding is meanwhile being devoted and is
likely to be devoted to researching ME/CFS from a psychiatric perspective, which
has itself been severely criticised from various methodological and theoretical
perspectives, both in the UK and internationally.

In your recent letter in the Independent, you stated that the MRC ".have
actively encouraged the submission of other proposals for CFS/ME - from
biological research to treatment studies. We are currently reviewing a number of
applications."

I am aware of the 'holistic' approach to health taken by many of the UK health
services. However, with the above issues in mind, I would be grateful if you
would provide answers to the following questions:

1. How many applications for exclusively biological research into the aetiology
of ME/CFS are currently under review at the MRC?

2. How many applications for bio-medical (but as opposed to 'bio-psychosocial')
research, including 'treatment studies', are currently under review at the MRC?

3. How many applications for research with any psychiatric, 'psycho-social' or
psychological context are currently under review at the MRC (apart from the PACE
and FINE trials)?

4. When will decisions be made for funding of any of the applications under
review?

5. How will such decisions (acceptances or rejections) be made available to
interested parties, such as the ME charities, and ME sufferers and advocates
themselves?

6. What are the details of all project applications currently under review at
the MRC?

I am sure the critical importance of the above issues and their ramifications
for ME/CFS sufferers and their supporters will not be lost on you. I would
therefore be grateful for your response to these questions as a matter of
urgency.



Yours faithfully,



Angela Kennedy