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by Lidia Wasowicz, UPI Science Writer GENE GIVEN BAD RAP: Scientists say recent publicity about a gene mutation found in a family with a hereditary form of Parkinson's disease led families of other Parkinson's patients to needlessly worry about genetic transmission of the disease to offspring and siblings. A new study of 100 Parkinson's patients found all lacked this gene mutation. The study, reported in Neurology, shows the gene is not common in the general population, says neurologist Dr. William Langston of The Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, Calif. He says, "This is probably the only family on earth with this mutation, and the news about its discovery was overgeneralized, causing pain and concern in families." While most Parkinson's cases appear not to be inherited, there are reports of the disease occurring in families. The highly publicized gene mutation was found in an Italian family called the Contursi kindred. Langston says the discovery still is "tremendously important scientifically" _ though not in the way the stories had led people to believe. Judith Richards [log in to unmask]