1. The DNA Banking process begins with your signature
on the DNA Banking Agreement. The Banking Agreement is freely available
from the PreventionGenetics web site. If required, we will also mail
a copy to you. You need to sign a copy of the Agreement and mail or
fax it to PreventionGenetics (see address at end of Agreement). You
will need to provide the name and address of a Representative who will
be responsible for the DNA sample if you become incapacitated and after
your death. A parent or legal guardian must sign for a child Depositor
under the age of majority (age of majority is based on the law in the
state of the child’s residence). An agent with the power of attorney,
or a guardian must sign for an adult Depositor who is incapable of providing
consent.
2. Next, you must arrange for payment. Current fees
for DNA Banking are $98 for a single individual, $88 per person for
2-4 family members, and $78 per person for 5 or more family members.
There are no additional fees, such as annual storage fees. Payment may
be made by enclosing a check payable to PreventionGenetics with your
signed Agreement or by calling to provide a valid credit card number.
3. Third, we strongly encourage you to complete the
online DNA Banking Depositor Information Form available from the PreventionGenetics
web site. Through this Form, you will provide information about your
family tree. This information, although not absolutely required, will
make it easier and less expensive to perform DNA testing on family members.
All of this information will be kept strictly confidential. Paper copies
of the Form will be sent to those who do not have access online.
4. After we receive a signed copy of the Banking Agreement,
PreventionGenetics will send you a copy of the ratified Agreement along
with a collection kit. The signed copy of the Agreement should be safely
stored among your important papers. The Agreement will contain a Deposit
Number which is important in making withdrawals. The kit will contain
two blood collection tubes, shipping containers and full instructions
for completing the collection. It also includes a prepaid FedEx return envelope for your convenience in returning the kit to PreventionGenetics.
5. The Depositor will need to go to your local doctor’s office
or to another qualified phlebotomist to have blood drawn. Five to twenty
milliliters of blood (approximately one to four teaspoons) will be drawn.
There might be some bruising and the discomfort of a needle stick. PreventionGenetics
is not liable for any complications that may arise from the blood drawing.
The phlebotomist will ship the blood to the PreventionGenetics lab.
You will likely be charged for the blood drawing. This cost is your
responsibility.
6. From the blood samples, PreventionGenetics lab personnel
will extract DNA, measure the DNA amount, and place the DNA into secure
freezer systems. The DNA will be stored in at least three freezers at
two or more separate locations. In the rare event that the extraction
fails, PreventionGenetics will send you another collection kit and will
repeat the extraction without any additional charge.
