Again, breaking with tradition, because
so many Upfront with NGS readers use
DNA testing for both genealogical research and health issue identification
reasons, it was felt that this press release from Family Tree DNA (FTDNA)
president Bennett Greenspan would be of interest to you.
Hello,
|
|
It's rare that I send 'blast emails', but if there was ever a time in my life that called for a broad based blast, now is that time. I want to share with you an important campaign www.freemygenes.org
that I have started, to raise awareness to an alarming situation.
About 10 weeks ago the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided
that “isolated
human genes cannot be patented.”
That same day our DNA testing company launched a breast cancer test that was
far more affordable than previous offered tests. Our precedent-setting
reduction in price meant that millions of Americans who previously could not
get the test--because their insurance company wouldn't pay, or because they
lacked insurance--now had access to a high quality test for breast cancer
risk.
Myriad Genetics sued us and others for offering this test and although we are not looking for a fight, we are now forced to defend ourselves and feel morally obligated to bring the world a more affordable test. As a child of the 60s, I can tell you that if there ever was a fight worth fighting, this is it.
I urge you to visit our site: www.freemygenes.org and familiarize yourself with the situation as it has unfolded and I urge you to share this information with others. Our actions are based on two key points: genetic testing should be affordable and available to everyone; and test providers should share data to enable better tests for consumers.
To help us promote the effort we ask that you LIKE our page and update your
FB profile picture to reflect our cause. Details are on the website.
I am humbled by the volunteers who have stepped forward to help us with this
case so far, including the ACLU, AARP, and the Breast Cancer Action. Now it's
your turn. Please do so as soon as you have the opportunity to get online.
Thank you very much for your support.
Best Regards,
Bennett Greenspan
President
Family Tree DNA
www.familytreedna.com
"History Unearthed Daily"
|
What’s your reaction to this news?
Editor's Note: On Sunday, The Legal Genealogist, Judy G Russell, posted on this topic in Making a DNA Difference. I do suggest you read what she has to say.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NGS does not imply
endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Republication
of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for
non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a
note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written
permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles
for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission
to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be
edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom
of each UpFront article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Suggestions
for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please
send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com
Hello,
|
|
It's rare that I send 'blast emails', but if there was ever a time in my life that called for a broad based blast, now is that time. I want to share with you an important campaign www.freemygenes.org that I have started, to raise awareness to an alarming situation.
About 10 weeks ago the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided
that “isolated human genes cannot be patented.”
That same day our DNA testing company launched a breast cancer test that was
far more affordable than previous offered tests. Our precedent-setting
reduction in price meant that millions of Americans who previously could not
get the test--because their insurance company wouldn't pay, or because they
lacked insurance--now had access to a high quality test for breast cancer
risk.
Myriad Genetics sued us and others for offering this test and although we are not looking for a fight, we are now forced to defend ourselves and feel morally obligated to bring the world a more affordable test. As a child of the 60s, I can tell you that if there ever was a fight worth fighting, this is it.
I urge you to visit our site: www.freemygenes.org and familiarize yourself with the situation as it has unfolded and I urge you to share this information with others. Our actions are based on two key points: genetic testing should be affordable and available to everyone; and test providers should share data to enable better tests for consumers.
To help us promote the effort we ask that you LIKE our page and update your
FB profile picture to reflect our cause. Details are on the website.
I am humbled by the volunteers who have stepped forward to help us with this
case so far, including the ACLU, AARP, and the Breast Cancer Action. Now it's
your turn. Please do so as soon as you have the opportunity to get online.
Thank you very much for your support.
Best Regards,
Bennett Greenspan
President
Family Tree DNA
www.familytreedna.com
"History Unearthed Daily"
|
Every year during the holidays, FTDNA and AncestryDNA have sales on their DNA testing products. This year is no different! The Legal Genealogist has written about some of the various testing options given budget constraints here: (http://legalgenealogist.com/blog/2015/12/13/all-you-want-for-christmas/). 
Once the test results are back, don't forget to take advantage of the NEW educational course offered by NGS to help you make the most of your results! NGS Launches Its Newest Course -- Genetic Genealogy: Autosomal DNA Course.
