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A copywrited (sorry, can't copy here) story turned up Thu. June 26, 7:01PM EDT on the Yahoo home page under "health" on the discovery of a Parkinson's gene in a couple of small groups of genetically related persons in Italy and Greece. It was mentioned briefly on Peter Jennings' eve. news report, too. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the NIH; the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey; University of Naples, Italy; and the University of Patras Medical School in Greece. SOURCE: Science (1997;276:2045-2047) Exciting that this development is getting some attention in the press; it quotes a release from the NIH, a Dr. Harold Varmus, saying "This finding could prove to be the most significant advance in our understanding of Parkinson's disease since the dopamine hypothesis was put forward in the mid-1960s." How can we use this information to help spark a sense of urgency in support of the Udall bill? We are certainly on the cusp of many exciting developments. I am advised that my own North Texas congressman, Ralph Hall, responds well to this sort of significance of science and research, and I will be sure he hears of this. It seems like a great opportunity to write or call again with new, timely information. Emily Jackson [log in to unmask]