Think Gene - Latest Comments in Common Responses to Why DTC Genomics is Dead: Coriell PMC

Re: Common Responses to Why DTC Genomics is Dead: Coriell PMC

Coriell Institute — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:34:23 -0000

Just to clarify… KyleS is correct: Coriell is not a government institution nor is the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC) a government-funded study.

The Coriell Institute for Medical Research is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, basic biomedical research institution that is supported by philanthropic donations and by NIH-funded grants. The five-million dollars we have raised to date for the CPMC has come solely from private foundations and individual donors.

Additionally, the CPMC is not simply a “free medical test,” rather it is a research study that aims to determine the utility of using genome information in health care. Evidence-based studies, like the CPMC, are needed before we will fully understand the impact genomic information may have on an individual’s health care.

A few other details:
Our current focus is on individuals in the Delaware Valley, primarily to ensure our study is performed in a medical context, meaning we reach out to both medical professionals and their patients to educate both parties on genome-informed medicine.

The CPMC web portal will be live toward the end of the year with genetic results. Participants will only receive information about potentially medically actionable genetic variants in an attempt to prevent undue anxiety associated with genetic prognosis. Participants will also have access to genetic counselors (at no cost) to discuss their CPMC results.

Re: Common Responses to Why DTC Genomics is Dead: Coriell PMC

drewyates — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:55:15 -0000

Agreed with Steve. Unless the study is obviously going nowhere, maintaining an existing project with sunk costs is easier than funding a new venture.

Re: Common Responses to Why DTC Genomics is Dead: Coriell PMC

Steven Murphy MD — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:50:41 -0000

Neither is a profit from the SNP test(sans services)companies.

But I would say CPMC's expansion is much more likely than the former

Re: Common Responses to Why DTC Genomics is Dead: Coriell PMC

KyleS — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:49:35 -0000

One thing I would point out that I don't believe is correct is the assertion that Coriell is a government institution. I believe it's a private non-profit, albeit one that receives a lot of money through government contracts.

This is important because the suggestion in the article is that Coriell's pocket is bottomless because the project is backed by the government. From their FAQ, funding for this particular project is primarily through private donations. So, expansion from 10,000 to 100,000 isn't guaranteed.

Re: Common Responses to Why DTC Genomics is Dead: Coriell PMC

Steven Murphy MD — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:11:32 -0000

Coriell is doing socially responsible genomics.
End of story.
-Steve
www.thegenesherpa.blogspot.com