More Flickr Comments on DNA Direct

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted October 1, 2007 in DNA Testing

You saw DNA Direct* CEO Ryan Phelan’s karyotype last week and now you get to see a picture of Ryan herself from 2005 again from Esther Dyson’s Flickr photostream.

Esther’s comment on this photo:

I’m writing about DNA Direct in preparation for my personal health info workshop September 30. Ryan Phelan created DNA Direct to reduce the bottleneck between all the people who might want genetic tests, and the tests available from a variety of medical labs. DNA D does a good job of not overselling the benefits while easing people’s fears and providing privacy (though of course then you can’t get reimbursed!). Although the testing process itself is generally fairly automatic, there are only about 1200 genetic counselors in the US. They are the people who can help individuals to decide whether or not they want to take a particular test, and they can help interpret the results for those who do. Of course, if DNA Direct is successful and fosters competition, the current shortage of genetic counselors will only increase.

Ryan’s response to some of the interesting comments on this photo:

I’m delighted to get such positive feedback about DNA Direct! I can’t help recalling that when the Internet first took off, the big alarm that was sounded—remember “The Digital Divide”? We sure don’t hear much about that today. I think genetics is going to go much the same route and genetics will be incorporated into all our daily lives in much the same way. (Witness, ubiquitous newborn screening.)

Automatt, rest assured, our company is very much about the human connection—we just believe that we can incorporate that connection in a phone and web-based service to a certain degree. Many people who are carrying a significant genetic mutation already are living their life worrying about the potential medical consequence. Customers tell us that getting their actual test result, and our reports that help put their genes in context, makes them feel empowered. In fact, many of our customers actually are NOT carrying a deleterious mutation, and our web-report can easily convey that “good news”. But you are correct, on-going genetic counseling is not our business model.

PS: I’m also old enough to remember when pregnancy tests and HIV testing were only done in a doctor’s office —boy has that changed!

*Yes, I work part-time for DNA Direct!

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, ryan phelan, esther dyson, flickr, genetic testing

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