Re: GeneTree unlock deadline ?
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In reply to:
GeneTree unlock deadline ?
Clif Gazaway 12/06/09
I don't think it's mysterious at all.
SMGF was offering free tests, but it took a long time and you had to extract your own results. Nothing was sent to you. They have reached their 100,000 sample goal and are apparently low on funds, so now, the only free tests are for those from locales that they need.
Folks didn't understand the concept of a private research project and complained about not being able to contact their SMGF matches. GeneTree was created to allow individuals to make themselves available for contact by interested matches. It's set up as a social networking site.
Also, for a fee, you can have them provide your results the from SMGF database. I would never pay for this service, as I have found it quite easy to extract the results myself. They also offer paid testing, just like any other retail testing company.
The added advantage that everyone seems to overlook is that requesting an unlock for a sample that is yet to be tested gets it moved ahead in the process. Expedited is what SMGF calls it. They claim a wait time of 6-12 weeks, but we have experienced about 8.
I would say GeneTree offers quite a bit of value for those that have qualified SMGF samples pending with little hope of them ever being completed. The lack of funds and the change of focus at SMGF may mean the wait time has increased from two years to never.
This is really the only mysterious thing at SMGF. What is happening to the samples still untested. They claim testing is still underway, but I see very little progress. Rather than wait and see what happens, we chose to pay the $40 (two samples) and had the results in a short time.
I'll take all the $20, 37 markers tests I can get. Not as good as free, but quicker.
If you still have questions, let me know.