asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Medical Research Council to report to him on the possible value of glutamic acid for the treatment of mentally defective and mongoloid children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Glutamic Acid.
Expert medical opinion is not yet agreed as to the therapeutic value of glutamic acid and a survey of the literature on the most recent research into this subject indicates that the results so far are suggestive rather than conclusive. The research itself has not been subjected to strict statistical control.
I am fully alive to the importance of applying early the results of research in this field and the matter is one with which my advisers keep in close touch. As at present advised, however, I feel it might be well to await the outcome of further studies before initiating a controlled investigation in this country. The matter will be kept under close review and if the results achieved elsewhere suggest that research might be usefully undertaken here I shall have the position further examined.