Although, to be fair, it is maybe not the MRC with whom we take issue as it does some excellent work in many other fields. It is, instead, those whom the MRC have charged with responsibility for ME. They have failed miserably - or succeeded completely - depending on whether the objective was to make progress in research or to be gatekeepers for stalling any progress. If anyone doubts the lack of progress made let us look back to a time long before the disastrous PACE Trial, way before the worthless “expert panels”, before the Gibson Inquiry, even before the CMO report of 2002. In 1988 in Parliament MP Jimmy Hood tabled a motion – “to require an annual report to Parliament on progress made in investigating the causes, effects and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis” 30 years ago! It is worthwhile reading again. https://api.parliament.uk/historichansard/commons/1988/feb/23/myalgicencephalomyelitis#S6CV0128P0_19880223_HOC_296 Myalgic Encephalomyelitis HC Deb 23 February 1988 vol 128 cc167-81674.36 pm §Mr. Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale) I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require an annual report to Parliament on progress made in investigating the causes, effects and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis. First, I should like to pay tribute to the many sufferers who have written to me in the past few days telling me of their personal suffering from the illness myalgic encephalomyelitis—an illness that is also known as post-virile fatigue syndrome. ---------------------------------------------------------------The ME illness was first observed in Britain 33 years ago in 1955, but it was observed in other countries as early as 1939. Research into the disease is being carried out in Britain at St. Mary's hospital in Paddington, Glasgow university and establishments elsewhere. Research is also being carried out abroad, notably in Australia and the United States of America. Research shows that ME appears to be caused by virile infection, combined with a disfunction of the immune system. There is no doubt that ME is an organic disease. The nature of the disease is such that it primarily strikes the central nervous system, the brain and body muscles. Its most common symptom is a profound weakness of the body, which results in even the most active of people being confined to their bed for long periods, sometimes years. Another symptom that is more distressing than that is the illness's effect on the brain. Some normally bright, alert people find themselves unable to function. Their concentration goes; they have difficulty speaking; and even conversation leaves them completely exhausted. Sufferers lose their jobs and their lives come to a halt. Children affected lose out on their Invest in ME research (Charity Nr. 1153730) www.investinme.org Page 7 of 56
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