Do you hear that sound Mr Anderson?

In an obvious move California has taken their stance. This was the sound of inevitability. I find it funny that the same journalist hyping these tests 1 year ago is now reporting on how California has sent cease and desist letters to the genome firms. This week, the state health department sent cease-and-desist letters to 13 such firms, ordering them to immediately stop offering genetic tests to state residents.

As I sat near Dietrich Stephan, Joanna Mountain of 23 and Me, Ryan Phelan and the number 2 from deCode it was evident on their faces. I knew they had received the letters (Well maybe not Ryan, she was ebullient)*. Their faces showed what I already knew to be true. Medical Genetic testing will and should fall in the realm of healthcare and practitioners.
* It turns out Ryan Didn't get a letter!

According to the article from Forbes

23andme did not immediately return calls Friday afternoon. Navigenics confirmed it had received a letter. Navigenics Chief Executive Mari Baker said her company continues to process orders from California residents because "to the best of our knowledge, we are in compliance" with state law. Navigenics uses a doctor to transit orders and review results, and it relies on a state-certified lab testing company to do the gene tests, Baker said.

This strategy is ok for now. But I have the inside scoop. This little loophole is going bye-bye soon enough. That's right, in order to test, you are soon going to have to document informed consent and evaluation by physician or extender. So anyone not doing what Helix Health of Connecticut is doing will soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law....again. Don't believe me? Just investigate the Medi-Spa industry. Think you will win the lawsuits? Yeah.....Napster did too.

From the Mercury News
......It added that the businesses were told to submit a plan of correction within 14 days to the California Department of Public Health, showing "how the businesses will prevent further violation of California state laboratory law."

"Businesses that fail to comply with the order are subject to civil and/or criminal sanctions," the statement noted. Brooks said those fines could be up to $10,000 a day per violation.

Hey Guys. Got 5 million to spare? I can make all your problems go bye-bye.....

The Sherpa says:

The Matrix and Neo finally combine forces to beat Agent Smith.....remember?

Forbes and Genetics Part Two

Given the recent emails I have received I will now present the other author to the 12 Gene Tests That Could Change Your Life Matthew Herper. It turns out I am not the only person trying to find out who Matt Herper is. But I am slightly daunted given the fact that WikiAnswers hasn't been able to answer this question.

Why investigate the authors? Because they are telling you that these tests could CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Frankly, I wonder who advised either of these guys. True, they are medical writers for several years. But there is always someone who advises a writer......

So once again I dial up spy-engine Google.....

According to the NewsBios 30 Under 30 Awards

Mr. Herper focuses on science and medicine both for the print and online editions of Forbes and is tasked with devoting about half of his time to each.

What kind of Bio is that? So he is under 30 years old. So that tells me something. He is not likely a PhD or MD although he could be either without post doc training..... Wait a second.....Under 30? I bet he has a LinkedIn profile. I know that I do.

Bingo Whoah. I got the feeling that he is hiding his credentials. Why? Even his profile is extremely spartan. Sketchy.....He moderated a biotech Industry panel and I thought his credits might be found there......no luck

Finally 11 pages deep into the google search I find this From the Counterpoint Archives at MIT

Matt Herper '99 (mjherper@mit.edu)
drinks occasionally but finds that reefer makes him ill.

Graduated in '99 could be 29 now....Sounds like we have our power player. Guess what MIT and Matt Herper find.....Friendster Impressive bio. Nothing here nor there indicating his opinion on Myriad or deCODE.

So now that I have identified the authors. We can take a look at the tests one by one.

First up Complement Factor H polymorphisms.......