Entitled Laura's choice - Reproductive options for carriers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - the DVD produced by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy in the USA (PPMD) by Australian creative director, Helen Posselt, follows the journey of a fictional young woman whose brother has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Laura learns she is a carrier and in preparation for a serious relationship and motherhood, Laura visits geneticists and counselors and learns about the options and choices open to her, including: CVS, amniocentesis and IVF.

The DVD is the second multimedia educational resource produced by PPMD by their Australian Educational Director who is also the Educational Advisor for Parent Project Australia (PPA). Her first DVD, released at the PPA's National Conference last year, is entitled "Giving a Face to Duchenne" and covers all diagnostic, treatment and research avenues associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. However, Laura's Choice has relevance to all inherited diseases thus informing female carriers and their partners of their reproductive choices. Women at risk of passing on genetic disorders will find the production invaluable and should gain the confidence to pursue lasting relationships with a view to raising children of their own.

In addition, Laura's Choice, touches on the future of reproductive medicine by referring to the gene smear test developed for carriers of cystic fibrosis, enabling women to be tested without the risk and anxiety associated with CVS and amniocentesis in the sixth week of their pregnancy. The DVD is also suitable for secondary & tertiary students and the overview also features footage of the procedures discussed.

Laura's choice was launched at the PPMD Cincinnati conference in July and distributed to over 300 US families. Over 100 Queensland families are affected by Duchenne & Becker Muscular Dystrophy with similar populations in other states. Now Australian families have access to the resource through Parent Project Australia. The DVD is such a valuable resource for women and such a worthwhile export that The Department of Women's Affairs have short-listed Helen Posselt for a "Women in the Smart State Award" for the second year running.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. 1 in 3,500 live born males in all races live with Duchenne. It is caused by a mutation of a gene on the X chromosome, which provides the instruction for the production of the protein Dystrophin. This protein is located inside the muscle cell membrane. When it is absent, the muscle cells collapse and die and Duchenne muscular dystrophy develops.

Symptoms of DMD usually appear between ages two and five years and may include difficulty: running, jumping, climbing and rising from the floor; frequent falls, enlarged calf muscles, toe walking and delays in language acquisition. The first muscles affected are those around the hips and upper thigh. Weakness gradually progresses to include all skeletal muscles, the muscles of respiration and the heart.

"Laura's Choice - Reproductive Options for Carriers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy" is available from Parent Project Australia PO Box 468, Smithfield. Qld 4878 or by emailing info@parentproject.org.au
For further information contact The Secretary at the above email address or by phoning 07 40575731