What is GeneLink?

GeneLink, Inc., Margate, NJ, was established in 1994 to handle the confidential banking and collection of DNA. Its mission is to utilize the latest genetic research information and applied technologies to provide products and services that can assist in improving and extending human life. A couple of years ago, according to Monte Taylor, director of business development, the company's scientists believed there was a niche it could fill in the area of pharmacogenomics, which is based on the principle that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the reason that individuals can react differently to the same drug. "Pharmacogenomics is moving in the direction of customized medicine and is an area that big pharma is currently investing billions of dollars," Mr. Taylor explained. "Pharmaceutical companies have known for years that if you give 100 people that have the identical medical condition the same drug, 75 might respond perfectly to the drug but 25 may get no results at all. The bottom line of that is that now with the Human Genome Project and the SNPs Consortium (a partnership of pharmaceutical and technology companies and academia) it is known that minor spelling variations in your DNA affect the way that you respond to drugs."

Along similar lines, GeneLink is poised to offer its nutragenomics DNA profiles to enable the same "customization" in the area of nutritional supplements, the mentality being that if one size does not fit all in medicine then the same must hold true for nutritional supplements. Nutragenomics is based on the principle that SNPs account for differential requirements for dietary supplement formulations. "As consumers become more aware that we can look at their propensities for inheritable diseases and conditions," said Mr. Taylor, "They will learn how important it is to deal with potential health challenges in advance. GeneLink's profiling technologies are designed to help the consumer answer the important question, 'What products are best for me?'"

GeneLink's genetic profiles look at an individual's propensities for challenges in the future rather than their current condition and health status. "We are not diagnosing diseases but there are certainly leanings toward certain diseases based on propensities that will show up in a profile. Having said that, we are looking at conditions that are either known or believed to lead to diseases," Mr. Taylor offered. "For example, one of our profiles in development is in the area of osteoporosis. In this case we will look at osteopenia, which is a precondition to osteoporosis. You can look at a DNA sample of a man or a woman at any age and give them a propensity score for osteoporosis." This is important, according to Mr. Taylor, because if you had a strong propensity toward osteoporosis, aside from supplements, you would probably be tested more often for it and have a broader awareness of what's to come.

How Does it Work?

GeneLink has developed a patented collection kit, which is used for genetic profiling and allows consumers to do the test on their own. The test, which takes about five minutes, requires the consumer to swab the inner cheek of their mouth and place the swabs in special envelopes to mail back to GeneLink's laboratories. In terms of confidentiality, all envelopes and forms are bar coded with the consumer's ID number to ensure privacy. Next, GeneLink's labs will isolate the genetic material and apply the science to it and within a week to 10 days the consumer or the healthcare provider will receive a report back with a custom nutritional regimen included.

How Can Consumers Take Advantage of this Technology?

Mr. Taylor said GeneLink is currently negotiating with several channels for distribution of this product. "I would love to say that consumers could go to the natural food stores right now and get a kit, but it may take a while. By the end of this year, however, the kits should be available through major distribution channels," he said. GeneLink is ideally searching for any type of distributor that can give voice to this technology as it feels the consumer needs to be educated. "The ideal channel are companies who know how to quickly engage and educate the consumer. The target consumer, one who is concerned about their health, desires amore personalized recommendation."-R.M.