This is an attempt to get my government interested. They will probably repl=
y with a form letter as usual, but you never know.
Bye,
Alex Young
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP=20
You may be aware that the probable cause of ME and CFS, and possibly fibrom=
yalgia and atypical multiple sclerosis, has been identified: the retrovirus=
XMRV. The proposed new name for these disorders is XAND: X Associated Neur=
o-immune Disease. A test is currently aviailable, although a better test wi=
ll be available within six months. I would like to suggest that the governm=
ent begin preparation to facilitate this test being subsidised under the PB=
S, especially for the disabled.
The government might also like to consider commencing planning for the tens=
of thousands of patients with this condition who are currently disabled, a=
s a treatment or cure might be available within twelve months. It is too ea=
rly to give a precise timeframe, but it isn't too early to do some simple p=
reliminary planning.=20
Consideration should also be given to implementing routine screening of blo=
od donations for XMRV, as it has been in the population for decades and can=
be transmitted by blood. Preliminary data gives a population incidence of =
this disabling and fatal virus at just under four percent. It is also known=
to cause cancer.
Prompt attention to this matter could save Australia billions of dollars a =
year and benefit hundreds of thousands of Australians and their families. I=
am one of them.
I can supply links and references if you require them, but so much informat=
ion has become available since the publication of the paper in Science on O=
ctober 8 that a simple search will overload you with information. The websi=
te for the research institute is:
http://www.wpinstitute.org/xmrv/index.html
Please be aware that the details found in the press are significantly out o=
f date, and even more neuroimmune disorders are under investigation for the=
involvement of this virus.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Alex Young (Disabled long-term CFS patient)
B.Inf. (1st.Hons), B.Sc. (Biochemistry)=
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