https://www.genomicsplc.com/news/genomics-and-massmutuals-program-enables-understanding-health-risks-1 In yet another information grab and push to increase medical earnings, MassMutual insurance company wants their policy holders to take a “genomic test”, an “easy to do swab of your cheek” and that gets mailed into a lab. Much like 23 and me, Ancestry, etc. They want to check for 8 preventable health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, breast and prostate cancer.
I know I sound like a broken record. Here I go again. The insurance companies are late to the game. The military did this in the 1990s. We were told the DNA would only be used to identify our remains. Sort of like when they took prints of the soles of flier's feet because often the only body parts to survive a crash were the feet in the boots. Nothing morbid there. Then, just before the 1990s ended we all got a letter telling us that our DNA information had been "leaked" "unintentionally" to possible foreign adversaries. Thanks Clinton Administration. Fast forward to just before the COVID 19(84) era. The VA comes up with a jolly "research" program that involves all of us volunteering a DNA sample. Of course coercion is a big part of sales pitch. You know: Nice benefits you got there. It would be too bad if someone decided to stop them and make you reapply which will take approximately 3 years. And so on. We were told that our DNA profile would not be personally identifiable to us in the database. Yet now, I get messages from them all the time wanting to discuss this or that about my DNA. Gee, I guess they lied. Dr. Funtimes is in every way correct when she advises you to resist and do not provide a DNA sample. Once provided, you cannot get it back. I'm sure insurance companies will not refuse coverage for people based on their DNA profile. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha I crack me up.
That was my concern about the big push for Cologuard. As well as bucal swabs for possible transplant matches. The VA is now offering testing to determine if a patient may be a potential “non-responder” to clopidogrel (Plavix), which many vascular patients are taking post-intervention. Of course, we have to counsel that this is genetic testing before we ask them for their consent. My spouse needs phlebotomy every 8 weeks to lower his hemoglobin. I do it at home and pitch the blood down the toilet. I’d rather do that (sadly) than have him donate to the American Red Cross, as I can no longer feel confident of what other information they may gather.
I know I sound like a broken record. Here I go again. The insurance companies are late to the game. The military did this in the 1990s. We were told the DNA would only be used to identify our remains. Sort of like when they took prints of the soles of flier's feet because often the only body parts to survive a crash were the feet in the boots. Nothing morbid there. Then, just before the 1990s ended we all got a letter telling us that our DNA information had been "leaked" "unintentionally" to possible foreign adversaries. Thanks Clinton Administration. Fast forward to just before the COVID 19(84) era. The VA comes up with a jolly "research" program that involves all of us volunteering a DNA sample. Of course coercion is a big part of sales pitch. You know: Nice benefits you got there. It would be too bad if someone decided to stop them and make you reapply which will take approximately 3 years. And so on. We were told that our DNA profile would not be personally identifiable to us in the database. Yet now, I get messages from them all the time wanting to discuss this or that about my DNA. Gee, I guess they lied. Dr. Funtimes is in every way correct when she advises you to resist and do not provide a DNA sample. Once provided, you cannot get it back. I'm sure insurance companies will not refuse coverage for people based on their DNA profile. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha I crack me up.
It always begins with a lie.
And then, poof!
That was my concern about the big push for Cologuard. As well as bucal swabs for possible transplant matches. The VA is now offering testing to determine if a patient may be a potential “non-responder” to clopidogrel (Plavix), which many vascular patients are taking post-intervention. Of course, we have to counsel that this is genetic testing before we ask them for their consent. My spouse needs phlebotomy every 8 weeks to lower his hemoglobin. I do it at home and pitch the blood down the toilet. I’d rather do that (sadly) than have him donate to the American Red Cross, as I can no longer feel confident of what other information they may gather.