| Kevin Brennan MP for Cardiff West will tomorrow have an adjournment debate about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that affects young boys. Money for research, and hope for those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common lethal genetic disorder in children. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle disorder that affects 1 in 3,500 boys worldwide. It knows no boundaries and crosses into all cultures and races. Because the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene is found on the X chromosome, the disorder manifests primarily in boys. Although many cases are genetically inherited, approximately 35% of all Duchenne muscular dystrophy cases are the result of a new random spontaneous genetic mutation. This means it could affect any family. Boys diagnosed with DMD typically lose their ability to walk and need the assistance of a wheelchair beginning sometime between the ages of 10 and 14 years. Most lose upper body strength by their late teens, making the simplest of movements such as lifting a fork, using a pencil, or even turning over in bed very difficult. To date, there is no cure. |