Re: [DIYbio] Text of 23andme email

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.12 (GNU/Linux)
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=CLDX
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
Aye, that'd be my idea, too. It's abhorrent to suggest that people
should be locked out of their own genomes, but it's irresponsible to
suggest that someone should be allowed to tell *others* what their
genetic fate is without any responsibility for the consequences.

Data is not diagnosis; I can tell someone "you look pale, you might be
anaemic", and that's not a diagnosis, it's merely data; particularly
if suffixed with "you should see a doctor/qualified nutritionist". If I
offer a service where people send me selfies and I tell them whether or
not they *are* anaemic, then I (in a hypothetical scenario where I'm
under their auspices) deserve the FDA's ire.

On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 17:31:35 -0700
"Daniel C." <dcrookston@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Thu, Nov 28, 2013 at 4:05 PM, Jeswin <phillyj101@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I thought the whole hullabaloo was the fact they were interpreting
> > the data. Sure, you need accurate sequence reads but don't you
> > cross a certain regulatory line when you start interpreting the
> > data? Doesn't it then become a medical device like a glucose meter?
> > I think the FDA sees potential for misuse. Didn't they start to
> > regulate smartphone app makers who started to venture into the
> > medical device area?
>
>
> That was my impression as well, though I didn't read the letters
> myself. If 23andMe wants to give people their genetic data and let
> them analyze it themselves, that would probably be fine. But if you
> start telling people that they have genes that predispose them to a
> certain disease, they may take action based on that and suddenly
> 23andMe is providing a medical diagnosis.
>
> I saw the other thread where some people were upset that the FDA
> would do such a thing, and while I am generally a fan of freedom of
> information I can also see the argument against 23andMe giving people
> this kind of information about themselves without the proper context
> or responsibility.
>
> -Dan
>