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I've had stranger ideas...but listen to this one... Suppose those Nobel Laureates asking Bush not to block U.S. funding for studies falls on deaf ears Suppose President Bush maintains his position for the next 4 years...or eight years if he's re-elected. As the post that Judith said, "Mouse studies point toward cure for Parkinson's disease. McKay and Isacson said researchers are almost ready to test the technique in humans, but social and political issues must be resolved before that step can be taken in the United States. " "At the same time, McKay said it may happen soon in Britain, France or the Netherlands, as those countries are adopting policies to advance embryonic stem cell research. " If the cure happens in England or France or The Netherlands or Australia, then that's where we'll have to go or else dilly-dally with US politics/politicians while times runs out for many. Are Parkinson groups looking into assisting their members in going where people could receive the treatment as soon as it is available...which could be years before it is available in the US? I think the Parkinson Alliance and the NPF and other Parkinson organizations need to be looking world wide and support the most promising research where ever it might be and look into setting up liasons in other countries so that prompt treatment will be available for ALL Parkies when the cure is found. Well I'm actually serious....I think that the NPF should be looking into a "back up plan"...trying to sign petitions to get this President to change his mind is fine as long as it's not the only plan .....if this embryonic stem cell research results in a sucessful treatment and a way to safely replace needed dopamine producing cells into the brains of Parkies and cure Parkinsons ...it's needed NOW... I've met Margaret Tuchman and Hiliary Blue and Bill Heit ...so many others... they don't have time for any delays...If a powerful organization like NPF or PA went public with a plan to co-ordinate an "Exodus" ship to Europe in an effort to save our loved ones, I believe it would emphasize the seriousness and urgency of this "political" discussion....think about it...If nothing else it should embarrass our leaders into seeing the issue from another perspective...I've had stranger ideas...I sure would take my sister Edna to Europe for a cure for Parkinson's but I'd need a whole lot of help to make the connections and to get it all arranged...a network would need to be in place. What do others think? Hugs, Gail