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>From Mike Claeys - Parkinson's Action Network "Just to answer two questions that people may be asking: 1. The FY98 Labor/HHS bill which the Udall bill is a part of does contain a prohibition on federal funding of "human embryo research." Human embryo research is very different from fetal tissue research--but I am not a scientist, so I'll leave it at that. Politiacally speaking, human fetal tissue research is far more contentious than fetal tissue--as evidenced by the continued federal ban. There is no language in the Parkinson's provisions of the conference report making any reference to fetal tissue research. 2. The Udall bill provisions of the FY98 Labor/HHS conference report are not subject to a possible line-item veto. The line-item veto can only be used to strike spending provisions where a dollar amount is specified. The Udall bill authorizes $100 million, but does not specify an amount to be appropriated. That is another battle--one that is currently ongoing. Also, the President has never indicated any interest in striking or modifying the current Udall bill language. The Parkinson's Action Network appreciates all inquiries into the status and implications of the Udall bill, and encourages interested parties to call (800) 850-4726, fax (707) 544-2363, or email "[log in to unmask]"