How much does this cost?
This is always the first question, so we address it head on. It varies widely, but if you want to do a full suite of genetic assessment, it is in the tens of thousands of dollars. If you want to look at all aspects of the individual’s hereditability, predisposition, susceptibility, family members genetics, the disease itself, and conduct validation studies, it can move into the hundreds of thousands. On the other hand, if you only want to assess records or if signatures already exist that match the claimed disease, mode of action and toxicant, it can be in the range of epidemiological studies.
How long does it take?
If you are considering only records reviews, literature reviews, or affidavits based on the individual’s records, the work can be completed within a month. For full genome sequencing studies plan three to four months from receipt of samples, with the variation dependent upon the advanced scheduling for our laboratory personnel.
Can we complete this in stages?
Yes, we have a gated methodology that is designed to be able to stop the project with minimal additional cost beyond current expenditures in the case of a dismissal or settlement. We often find that once the records review and strategy are revealed in a case, both sides quickly converge on a settlement or in many cases, the defendant using genomics is dismissed or the case dropped.
How do you approach assessing whether lifestyle or environmental factors contributed to a disease?
That varies to fit the situation. More information usually is better than less. We prefer to start with broad information about family history as to disease, medical records and personal history. We then prefer to apply a systems biology approach that includes detailed genomic testing and analysis. With genomic data in hand, we then take a fresh look at the factors potentially related to the disease.
Can you evaluate the impact of tobacco on the onset of the subject's disease?
Yes, varying types of molecular analysis usually will allow us to identify objective evidence relevant to a broad range of questions related to tobacco use. Questions that can be addressed include data relevant to the extent and recency of tobacco use. We also can provide molecular testing and/or other forms of analysis regarding the presence or absence of germline and somatic mutations relevant to disease causation.
Can we contract with you as part of a joint defense group where there are multiple defendants?
Yes, in order to accommodate multiple payers, insurance companies, and individual defendants settling or being dismissed, we have developed a services engagement that takes into account the changing landscape and participants.
Is the work you do available to the opposition in the case?
Yes, we provide a complete set of all information, research papers, lab books, videos of lab work, tissue samples, amplified biological products, raw sequencing data and reports to both sides in a case. The science speaks for itself and everything is available for peer review.
Is there a good return on investment from this expenditure?
Yes, we have never lost a case for those that have made it to court, and in the numerous defense cases we have been used in, if they did not make it to trial, our clients have been very happy with either being dropped from the case or reaching a very acceptable settlement that made them very pleased with the investment. We have also seen a pattern of similar cases against our clients being quickly settled or dropped after the completion of our first case with them.
