GeneTests Will Continue

We are proud to announce a plan to continue the GeneTests website. We are delighted that through an agreement between the University of Washington and BioReference Laboratories, GeneTests will continue its mission of providing current authoritative information on genetic testing to the medical community. Roberta (Bonnie) Pagon MD, founder of GeneTests, serves as Medical Director of the new GeneTests. Our long term goal is to enhance the GeneTests web site by incorporating new test methods and improved services to meet the needs of busy clinicians. In the short term, our goal is to facilitate access to the GeneTests data familiar to our users.

Our site is currently under construction but will be available to all of you very soon. We will contact all of you once it is live, but in the mean time please watch this quick message from our medical director.

FAQ's

1. What is the mission of the new GeneTests?

The new GeneTests will continue the GeneTests mission: By providing current, authoritative information on genetic testing and its use in diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling, GeneTests promotes the appropriate use of genetic services in patient care and personal decision making.

2. What are the future plans?

Our intent is to update the look of the site and improve the search functionalities. Over time we will add more user-friendly features for both laboratories and users.

3. Will the new GeneTests site allow searching GeneReviews?

Yes. The search function for the Laboratory Directory and GeneReviews will be integrated (i.e., in one box) and the search result display will be similar to the old GeneTests site. In the mean time you can access GeneReviews at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1116/ (noting that the search function differs from that on GeneTests).

4. What is GeneTests going to do about adding multi-gene panels?

We know that multi-gene panels offer a tremendous diagnostic advantage for many patients. One of our top priorities is to add user friendly views of multi-gene panels to the new GeneTests.

5. Will users be charged for using GeneTests?

GeneTests will continue to be freely available to all users.

6. Will it cost anything for laboratories to list with GeneTests?

No, laboratories will not be charged to list tests on GeneTests. This listing service will remain free of charge to laboratories.

7. How will GeneTests make logging into the administrative portion of the site easier than in the past?

The administrative section of the site will be entirely new and user friendly while including appropriate controls and approval processes. Laboratories will be notified directly when it is ready for use.

8. What is GeneTests doing to make data entry and data updating easier than in the past?

The new administrative functions will make the entry, updating and downloading of data incredibly easy.

9. How can laboratories provide feedback on items that we would like to see added to or improved on the site?

We would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions any time. Please click here to contact us.

10. Will you be providing the same customer service as in the past?

Our goal is to maintain the high-level of customer service for which GeneTests is known, and to remain an impartial resource for information on genetic test availability. All calls and emails will be answered by GeneTests genetic counselors.

11. Will the process of curating data for labs be the same, (i.e., can the labs revise their data whenever they want)? Will they still be asked to do an annual comprehensive update?

At its launch, the new GeneTests site will contain all the data in the Laboratory and Clinic Directories from the previous GeneTests site. When the administrative portion of the site is finalized, laboratories will be able to revise their data on an ongoing basis.An annual update will be required.

12. Will the GeneTests staff curate information about diseases and genes?

Yes, the GeneTests staff will continue to curate information about diseases and genes to adhere to universal standards (when available) and to assure internal consistency of information.

13. Where can I go if I still have more questions?

Please click here to contact us.

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1-888-729-1204