Another Pathway Opens Up for DTC Consumers
In July, Pathway Genomics announced that it would become the latest entrant in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) consumer genomics space. Only now, however, has Pathway begun to return results to its customers, and Kevin Davies of Bio-IT World has a first look at the results.
Of note is Pathway’s decision not to report relative or lifetime risk as numeric values―a decision prompted, perhaps, by the recent commentary of Venter et al. in the journal Nature, which highlighted substantial differences between disease risk predictions offered by 23andMe and Navigenics. Also a bit of a surprise is the disclosure that, at least for the moment, Pathway’s customers will not be receiving access to their raw genetic information (although the company assures Davies that it is coming).
There have certainly been some changes in the DTC marketplace since Pathway announced it was joining the fray five months ago. One of Pathway’s direct competitors, deCODE genetics, filed for bankruptcy and another, 23andMe, announced several changes to the structure, pricing and features of its own DTC service. As the field of consumer genomics enters its third year, there are no obvious signs that the pace of scientific and commercial change is likely to be any slower in the coming five months than over the previous five.
In Support of Open Access for Genomic Research
This commentary in the Genomics Law Report’s ongoing series What ELSI is New? is contributed by George Church, Harvard Medical School.
One of the recurring themes in this ELSI series has been the discussion of open-access vs. research-only models for genomic research (see Bobe, MacArthur, McCarty, Prainsack and Sweeney). Below I discuss the characteristics and advantages of, as well as obstacles to, an open-access data model for genomic research.
A. Self-access: Open-access and freedom of information are increasingly required by law. Medical research is increasingly holistic — integrating a variety of (identifiable) traits and molecular signatures. Genomics is just part of this, not particularly exceptional. Multi-purpose cohorts and biobanks are displacing single trait studies. Research volunteers are increasingly expecting to see their own data and what is being doing with it. So with respect to such desired transparency, projects can be classified as ranging from 1) “no access” (HapMap, 1000 Genomes, dbGAP), to 2) limited access and no vetting exam (ClinSeq, CPMC and REVEAL), to 3) full access based on obtaining a 100% score on an exam covering risks of data sharing and re-identification (PGP).
Weekly Twitter Roundup
Each week there are a number of stories and developments that, for one reason or another, don’t find their way into a full-length posting on the Genomics Law Report. Here’s a recap of what I was Tweeting this week @genomicslawyer:
- deCODE data – what will happen to it and does it matter? http://bit.ly/5nxI5e (via @PHGFoundation)
- Another post from @wilbanks on “open source” software v. science – how they differ, & what science currently lacks: http://bit.ly/5hG4Ue
- RT @ScienceNOW: RT @ScienceInsider: U.K.’s DNA, Isotope Nationality Testing Continues http://bit.ly/4xHgYD
- “Medical identity theft is on the rise and expected to worsen” http://bit.ly/4Gb7c9 (via WSJ)
- RT @nanopore: We reckon: Total DNA sequence output to 2004 is now produced, globally, every 16 minutes.
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Starting Out with Government Funding: SBIR and STTR Grants
This commentary in the Genomics Law Report’s ongoing series Bench to Market is contributed by Jon Jordan, Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
You’ve spent months or even years researching and believe you are on the brink of a major breakthrough. Your quest to develop a marketable product or technology is at a crossroads and, like many entrepreneurs, you wonder where you can find the funds to make your dream a reality. Luckily, public funds are available from a variety of sources to help fund research and development and commercialization activities. Public grants are a valuable source of funding that can mean the difference between commercialization success and the death of an idea before it makes it off the bench.
There are currently 26 federal government agencies that offer grants in a variety of fields. In this post we will focus on the two major programs offered by the federal government for small businesses/entrepreneurs, particularly those entrepreneurs engaged in science and technology related research. These programs are the Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (“STTR”) program. Each of these programs is intended to stimulate technological innovation, strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting research and development (“R&D”) needs, and increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D.
GINA: Coming Soon to a Workplace Poster Near You
As we reminded you last week, Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) took effect on November 21st. Title II prohibits genetic discrimination and restricts the collection of genetic information by all private, state, and local government employers with more than fifteen employees. (Title I prohibits health insurers and group plans from using genetic information to deny coverage or set payment rates.)
For all the attention that GINA has achieved, many Americans will soon learn of its existence for the first time in break rooms and at water coolers across the country, courtesy of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) new workplace poster (pdf). The poster is required to be displayed by all employers covered by federal anti-discrimination laws.
