Joining DNA Direct
by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 16, 2007 in DNA in General
Yesterday was my first day working as a consultant for DNA Direct. I’m excited to be given the opportunity to work with the DNA Direct core team, including Founder and CEO Ryan Phelan and Director of Content Development Lisa Lee. While the company’s main objective continues to be providing access to medical genetic tests and genetic counseling/ interpretation, I will help them serve their customers better by responding to inquiries about related DNA services, such as rare genetic disorders, paternity, and ancestry testing. The idea is to create a place where people can select the most respected and reliable DNA testing services available and figure out which specific test suits their needs.
The number of consumers shopping for DNA tests continues to grow especially as technology advances. We are increasingly going to be faced with a plethora of choices. For genealogical research alone, there are over 30 companies that currently offer genetic testing for ancestry. How does the average person know which one is best for him or her? DNA Direct wants to create an interactive guide that helps people define what they want and how best to get it.
I’m honored to be working for DNA Direct, a genetic testing company that has proven to be reliable, trustworthy, and of the highest quality. Creating a “preferred provider” program is one way DNA Direct plans to help people navigate the genome revolution of the 21st century.
What type of genetic testing interests you the most and what do you look for when evaluating DNA tests?
Tags: genetics, genes, dna, dna direct, genome, genome revolution, dna testing, genetic testing, dna test, medicine, health, genealogy

Related Posts:
Ads at Eye on DNA...
Podcast: DNA Direct’s Ryan Phelan at Stanford...
Clarification on Working for DNA Direct...
Nurse Kendra James Takes The deCODE T2 DNA Test...
HIVmirror – DNA Test for People with HIV...
Let’s Talk About Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing...
Flickr Comments on DNA Direct...
24 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Search Eye on DNA
- Genetic Genealogy on Faces of America
- DNA Network Tweet Cloud
- DNA{wesome}
- Genetics = Real Science
- Larry David’s DNA Test
- Lopez Tonight First Late-Night Show to Offer DNA Testing
- American Genes Don’t Exist
- Knowledge about Genetic Risk is Power or is it Fear?
- Murderer Gets Reduced Sentence Because His Genes Made Him Do It
- Video: Knome’s Ari Kiirikki Speaks with Medgadget
MOST POPULAR
- DNA Toys: Ben 10 and Digimon Digivice
- 100 Facts About DNA
- Salaries for Jobs in Genetics
- Fetal Gender DNA Tests Answer Common Pregnancy Question...Or Not
- What does DNA mean to you?
- Eye on DNA Interview: Dr. Tzung-Fu Hsieh of RedTracer DNA Test for the Red Hair Gene, MC1R
- Books About DNA: The Crime of Reason by Robert B. Laughlin
- Genetically Modified Organisms Bring in the Cash
- Navigenics Introduces Physician Portal and Annual Insight Service
- Parenting Children Using Genetic Tests
- People Who’ve Had Their Genomes Sequenced
09/29/2009 07:03 am
8 Comments - Larry David’s DNA Test
11/17/2009 02:52 am
1 Comment - 23andMe DNA Tests for $399, Down From $999
09/10/2008 04:33 am
6 Comments - Crazy Genetic Marketing Ideas
07/05/2008 09:14 pm
7 Comments - Parenting Children Using Genetic Tests
05/18/2009 02:09 am
4 Comments - Business of DNA
- DNA @ Google Answers
- DNA and Disease
- DNA and Genealogy
- DNA and the Law
- DNA Around the World
- DNA Fun
- DNA in General
- DNA Inventions and Gadgets
- DNA Lab Talk
- DNA Podcasts and Videos
- DNA Quotes and Excerpts
- DNA Testing
- Gene Therapy
- Genetic Engineering
- Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms
- Jobs Involving DNA
- Personalities with DNA
- Polls About DNA
RECENT POSTS
RECENT COMMENTS
CATEGORIES
ARCHIVE
- January 2010
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
RANDOMIZED BLOGROLL
- Genomics Revolution
- Autism Vox
- The Biotech Weblog
- Skinny Moose Media
- Off The Road
- Mark’s Daily Apple
- HealthNex
- dnamazing.com
- The Loom
- Highlight HEALTH
| We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. |




Wow! What great news!
I’m actually very interested in the genetics disorder tests but they bring up so many psychological questions. Could I handle knowing I’ve got X disorder? Would it change the way I live?
Congrats on the position and I hope it all goes well.
Cheers,
Rick
Thanks, Rick! In my opinion, genetic tests should change the way you live – for the better! There’s got to be a positive approach to everything. Yes, I’m ever the optimist.
Congratulations Hsien. I actually feel better about DNAdirect now that I know you are there.
Do you think there will be any problems with you working for them and commenting on any of their upcoming new tests?
LOL, Barry. I know you weren’t keen on the diabetes DNA test. I’ve known the folks at DNA Direct for almost two years and they’ve never had a problem with me voicing skepticism. That’s why they’re so cool. They’re totally transparent and open to suggestions and criticism. And best of all, they’re ok with me continuing on with genetics blogging as I have been doing for so long! I guess my obnoxious personality charmed them.
Congrats on the new gig.
Thanks, Brian!! Almost as good as your Motley Fool one.
Congratulations, Hsien. Much success in your new position. They’re very fortunate at DNA Direct to have you.
Thank you, Mary Emma! I am very lucky as well to have the chance to learn new things. I must admit this is my first foray into business development and accompanying lingo!
I know, I know…..I am very proud of you Hsien. You have been given an opportunity to make sure that the ethics of these issues can be addressed. I wish you all the best in this business venture. Keep up the good fight for the patient
-Steve
http://www.thegenesherpa.blogspot.com
Steve, I’ll definitely keep fighting because the patients are you, me, and our families!
Congrats, Hsien! And yay for having an awesome first day at work
Thanks, Alicia! It’s been a good week so far.
Great news! And I’ve too many questions—as you know, prenatal genetic testing evokes a lot of strong feelings and opinions in autism circles. I hope you won’t mind if I keep asking you questions.
I love talking to you, Kristina! This definitely doesn’t change anything. FYI, DNA Direct does not currently offer prenatal testing or PGD. They do, however, offer genetic testing for people considering pregnancy.
[...] Controversy! Since my post last night, there have been a number of questions and concerns about my new affiliation with DNA Direct. In the interest of full disclosure, let me make a few things [...]
[...] the past few weeks with our Sphere Related Content plug-in: Data Dome; Dean Lee; Alex Bainbridge; Eye on DNA; Unofficial Squaw; Convouted Muse; You Decide 2008; Syaf the Geek; Tunxis New Media; Andrew Teman; [...]
Wow. Congratulations, Hsien! Well done!
Thanks, Shai! It’s been a very busy few weeks. But I’m sure it doesn’t compare to having a new baby in the house.
[...] Disclosure: I am currently a consultant for DNA Direct. [...]
[...] *As you all know, I’m currently working as a DNA Direct consultant. [...]
[...] *I am a consultant for DNA Direct. [...]
[...] powered by ODEO*I’m a DNA Direct consultant. [...]
[...] patients deserve a great deal of support and care. Here’s where an approach like DNA Direct (my current employer) that combines genetic counseling with private at-home DNA testing would be [...]
[...] I started working as a consultant for DNA Direct in May, I decided to pull ads from Eye on DNA because I didn’t want any to [...]