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Hi from Rita once again: 1. Registration is mandatory because: In order for epidemiological studies to be worthwhile it is necessary to have as close to an accurate number as possible. We will never have every person with PD on the list..that would be impossible to achieve.........undoubtedly we will miss some. But few would bother to report if it were not mandatory and then the information contained in the database is no longer valid. 2. Why is name, SS#, address necessary if it is not available to researcher. Name and SS# will be used to crosscheck entries. SS# could always be the same...........name could vary..............Are you Mary Alice Jones on your birth certificate and known to your MD as Alice Jones? What if the pharmacy then reports you as Mary A. Jones??? do we count you three times? No, the SS# provides the bounce out of the system. What if a study by a qualified researcher leads to information that might be helpful in finding the cause, but more detailed information is needed to confirm this finding (bloodwork perhaps???; someday in the future DNA studies??....this is hypothetical.......) the State Health Dept might then contact all PD patients who have ever lived in the 6580? zip code area and offer them the opportunity to particpate in a future study if they were interested. 3. "ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION?" No, this is not religious preference, employments status etc. If we are currently considering in research projects that well water vs. water treatment source for home usage.........that is a valid question..............What was water source when you lived in zip code 6851?. Next year, we may drop water as a possible environmental link and a new pesticide is a suspected culprit..........So add the question did you ever have contact with crabgrass killer? It is necessary to provide for the possible addition/deletion of information on forms requested from a state agency. Allowing for answers to be gained and new questions to be asked ....in other words "PROGRESS". 4. Funding this registry rather than PD research. This is Parkinson's research folks. This is an opportunity for researchers to gather information about our environment and PD. Scientists and neurologists from the medical schools in our state are compiling the questions. Parkinson's patients, families and researchers worked very hard to pass this legislation.