Company Genetic Ethical

Principles

July 5, 2004

  Security of Genetic Material  

PreventionGenetics is dedicated to maintaining banked DNA samples in a secure and intact state for at least decades. We will take exceptional measures to protect banked DNA samples from loss due to equipment failure, accident, employee error, natural disaster or sabotage.

PreventionGenetics will not sell or otherwise transfer banked DNA without the expressed written permission of donors or their representatives.

PreventionGenetics recommends that all individuals bank their DNA, regardless whether this is done at PreventionGenetics or in another laboratory. Banking of DNA at two or more trusted institutions may be wise.

PreventionGenetics believes that genetic information is among the most sensitive and precious information that a person may possess.

PreventionGenetics is dedicated to keeping all identifiable genetic information private and secure. We will take exceptional measures to protect such information from loss or corruption.

Except where required by law, PreventionGenetics will not release identifiable genetic information to anyone without the expressed written permission of the DNA donor or their representative.

All PreventionGenetics' employees are required as a condition of employment to sign an agreement pledging to honor the privacy of identifiable genetic information.

PreventionGenetics' believes that all individuals should have the right to learn about their own genomes in privacy and at a modest cost.

PreventionGenetics will provide DNA banking and DNA testing services that are of the highest quality and lowest cost. We will continually develop and adopt new technologies that will enable the average person to learn more about their genomes.

PreventionGenetics believes that all individuals should be free from the fear of genetic discrimination.

PreventionGenetics opposes the use of genetic information to discriminate against individuals, and strongly supports federal legislation to prohibit genetic discrimination in employment and health insurance.

PreventionGenetics favors collection, retention, and utilization in health care of the maximum possible amount of family tree (genealogical) information. State and Federal laws must specify whether biological family relationships gleaned from DNA testing may be released to individuals, law enforcement officials or others.

PreventionGenetics strongly supports genetics research. With the written permission of donors, non-identifiable and identifiable genetic information, and sometimes even portions of banked DNA, may be released to qualified investigators to assist with approved research projects.