Question:

Why is it so easy for us to believe that exposure to a toxin sometime in our life corrupted our genes and gave us Parkinson's (the current theory of the "environmental trigger" causing idiopathic PD), yet it is so difficult for us to believe that exposure to a healthful environment might have the opposite effect, be beneficial and, yes, curative?

By the time we realize we have PD, it is often too late for many of us to easily stay on a new path to wellness, as Jaye mentions, because our behaviors have been corrupted as well.

But that doesn't mean that wellness won't work - it just means we need help and understanding to stay on the path. That's the big disconnect; it's easy to say "do it!"; doesn't mean it's easy to do.

I imagine this is just the kind of science that Sergey Brin (or anyone else with the same profile) is looking to when he surveys the choices he has right now looking at a future with possible Parkinson's. One possibilty might be a new growth factor or other restorative bullet; other possibilities might be meditation, exercise and diet.

In fact, those of us without a familial "PD gene" might have a leg up; maybe the manipulation of our own environment can extend our lives, just as something unknown in our environment may have shortened it.

Whatever - it's an exciting, meritorious area of research. The "PD gene pool" being created by 23andMe will be able to support all kinds of research that have to do with gene manipulation, whether by diet or drug. It would be nice to be able to measure success however it is achieved!