Biobanks studying genes and human health in large populations are popping up around the globe, but what are researchers to do when they uncover medically important—or potentially lifesaving—results for volunteers who gave their DNA anonymously to science? A research...
Introducing Research Practices to Boost Study Diversity: Inspiration from the Pandemic
The pandemic (and virtual technology) brought many things into our homes—work, school, doctor’s appointments, the gym, and conferences (to name a few). And while I’m not eager to attend another virtual cocktail party, there have been some at-home adaptations that have...
The FDA 510(k): Bringing a New Genetic Test Directly to Consumers (Part 2)
So, you’ve developed a genetic test that you’d like to sell directly to the public in the U.S., and you’ve read Part 1 of this two-part series—then you are ready to get some insider tips from a genetic test FDA expert on how to navigate the 510(k) process for your...
The FDA 510(k): Bringing a New Genetic Test Directly to Consumers (Part 1)
So, you’ve developed a genetic test that you’d like to sell directly to the public in the U.S.—from a regulatory perspective, what do you need to know? To start, some genetic tests require U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) review before being marketed...
What Led Us to Live Televideo Interviews (LTIs), and Why We Won’t be Turning Back
This post was written in collaboration with Jesus Arrue Why develop live televideo interview methods? In simpler times, pre-pandemic, we conducted user comprehension and other cognitive interview studies through in-person interviews. We would meet with research...
The Trouble with UNinformed Consent in Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
Today we are bombarded with online terms of service, contracts, and privacy policies. Whether we are signing up for Spotify or online fitness classes, clauses of click-through legalese lead to the inevitable checkbox – I have read the details and I agree. ...but it...
Using a Label Comprehension Study for Nonprescription Drug Products
Over-the-counter drugs and direct-to-consumer genetic tests need to stand alone: here’s how the FDA ensures label comprehension. At SoundRocket, we have spent some time talking about the #SoundScience that is associated with FDA user comprehension studies. These...