The release Pharmacogenetic and Genealogy Pioneers Merge for Historic Partnership on PRNewswire positions it as a merger. Is it? Does it matter? Let's speculate.
According to the release, Dr. Lior Rauchberger of Australian genomics company myDNA will be CEO of the merged companies, effective immediately. Gene by Gene and FTDNA co-founders Bennett Greenspan and Max Blankfeld will join the Board of Directors.
The announcement positions the new entity as "one of the leading global experts of genealogy, pharmacogenomic and nutrigenomic services."
As a serial entrepreneur CEO of MyDNA Rauchberger saw that business as one that enables you to use your DNA to make the right health choices around things like diet and medication. That's the focus on the MyDNA website. No reference to genealogy.
Is this a merger bringing a new genealogy business line? Is it a way of expanding the company with the client base from Gene by Gene and FTDNA likely clients for health-related services?
FTDNA must have a financial concern that the slowing in growth in genetic genealogy testing leaves the company with reduced capacity to service the ongoing commitment to legacy customers? Their (Our) interests could be protected, as far as is possible, by being part of a larger entity with a growth component.
3 comments:
"Is it a way of expanding the company with the client base from Gene by Gene and FTDNA likely clients for health-related services?"
YES. And I am disgusted. Genealogy is not the reason any of these DNA testing companies are in business. It's ALL about the money and money can be made by selling information. MY/YOUR DNA information. I will no longer test anyone.
I enjoyed the previous photograph of you much better as it seemed to reflect a wise fellow.
peace -
I'm with Unknown & Anonymous John.
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