Marjorie, I keep wondering about this "gene" thing too as there is no one else in my family anywhere with PD. I have research some of my family back as far as 1500 and there is no record of PD, shaking palsy, or anyother such disease/disorder in the family. If it is genetic, them maybe I have a "mutated" gene that no one else in my family has ever had?? And, did I pass it on to my children?? Who knows??? don't forget how to laugh Marling [log in to unmask] (work) or [log in to unmask]