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-- [ From: Seymour Gross * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] -- Gerry, and List Richard Pikunis' intent was "to tell the truth" about Parkinson's and he did. I'm sure that his testimony will not soon be forgotten by Senators Specter, Harkins and the others who heard him. He has earned the thanks of the Parkinson's community. Rachel Simon cared enough about the subject to pursue the idea of a column, and then another. Her writing, Richard's willingness to be interviewed, brought about Sen. Specter's invitation and at least in part, his support for stem cell research. Anyone wanting to drop her a note may do so at: [log in to unmask] But an interesting thing has happened. During the past few months Dr. Varmus lauded the potential of stem cell research and its effect on not only Parkinson's, but stroke, diabetes, spinal cord injury, etc. Ethicists who testified before Sen. Specter's committee in December in support of the research agreed that the government should establish ethical guidelines and that the government must commit to funding stem cell research. A few weeks ago when the attorneys at Health and Human Services ruled that stem cell research may be funded by the federal government, Dr. Varmus stated that this will not take place until there have been conversations with congress and the public. I haven't read anything more about this since then. Do you know if any of the Parkinson's organizations have any information on this? Best wishes, Dolores