Manitoba funds fetal alcohol research

The Manitoba government is promising to spend up to $750,000 for research into fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

The money is to go toward a joint research project involving the University of Manitoba and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

"Our partners are putting together a multi-disciplinary team with valuable expertise in this area. Their research will also have the potential to further improve the way our government works with front-line organizations to support families dealing with FASD," said Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak.

Over the next five years, the province will match funds raised by the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University toward a new Canada-Israel FASD research consortium.

Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau says it's part of a plan to help prevent the condition and to help people who have it gain greater independence.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders include a variety of birth defects, including learning difficulties, and are caused when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy.