Health

Can trust no more
by Claudia Sonea

You cannot trust anybody these days. All the news you hear on TV, radio or read on the Internet, are about cons and frauds. Just now, California health regulators revealed that they received complaints against 13 direct-to-consumer genetic testing startups and that is why it issued cease-and-desist letters last week. The companies have to stop selling until proving in about two weeks that the state standards are being fulfilled (certificates confirming the certification of the state and federal governments, the prescription of a doctor for them), according to the statement of Lea Brooks, the spokeswoman of the state Department of Public Health. Only Navigenics Inc. and 23andMe Inc have confirmed the receiving of the letter and the officials said the names of the other companies will be revealed after confirmation. If somehow they fail in bringing the evidences there are fines of up to $3,000 a day waiting for them. It is not a unique case as it did happen in New York too, where the State Department of Health issued letters in April. The officials have warned from the beginning the accuracy of the tests is rather doubtful due to the fact that they just launched the technology and must master it before using it. Not to mention that the accuracy is not even tested by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Both Navigenics and 23andMe have been willing to cooperate and their spokespersons assured the federal commission will receive all the data requested. Now from 13, only too seems a little bit shocking. What is wrong with the other to delay so long in responding?

related story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_hi_te/genetic_testing_crackdown;_ylt=Am8MGDuJwnxgJB5ZpBtwEFus0NUE

by Claudia Sonea for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

PocketNews is a new real-time news broadcaster delivering the latest and hottest news right to your pocket ! With global clients who want to be kept up to date, PocketNews is everyone's way of keeping in touch with the World.<br><br><font size=2>These news are original content from young talents around the world and are selected for you by Chris Cantell.</font><br>


edited by Katarina Gaskova

Labels: CantellTV, Chris Cantell, Christopher Cantell, digital broadcasting, Health, SigEx Foundry, SigEx Telecom

posted by Blog TechSource @ 2:15 AM