Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are designed to address many of your questions about the genetic screening process, the company that does the screening, and what you can expect from your testing.
Q Who is Sciona?
A Sciona is a company that provides personalized health and nutrition recommendations based on an individual’s diet, lifestyle and unique genetic profile.
The company was founded in 2000 to use discoveries from the Human Genome Project in ways that would benefit consumers and consumer product companies. Its team of scientists has developed the MycellfTM Program that helps consumers take charge of their health. The Program uses a combination of genetic analysis and information about diet and lifestyle habits to make recommendations for how individuals can make smart choices that will benefit their long-term health.
Click here for additional information about Sciona, Inc.
Q What are the credentials of the company?
A Sciona began on June 8, 2000, the same day as the announcement by President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair of the completion of the first draft of the Human Genome Project. The company was founded on a simple premise: to use the scientific information uncovered in this landmark research project for the benefit of consumers and consumer product companies.
Since that time, Sciona has built a business around the application of evidence-based genetic information for the development of personalized products that help individuals optimize their health in five key health areas. In the process, Sciona has established itself as an internationally recognized pioneer and leader in the emerging scientific field of personal genetics. The company is privately held, with headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Investors include Esprit Capital Partners, LLP, Burrill and Company, Bioventures Investors, Inc., Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Inc., DSM Venturing and BASF Venture Capital Gmbh. Sciona’s funding to date is $21 million.
The personnel associated with Sciona encompass the broad range of expertise needed for gene-based personalized nutrition analysis and recommendations: geneticists, dietitians, ethics professionals, laboratory professionals, nutrition scientists, physical performance scientists, and physicians.
The clinical laboratory in which the genetic analyses are conducted is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) passed by Congress in 1988. This legislation was enacted to establish quality standards for laboratories and ensure accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of laboratory tests. Click here (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/clia) for additional information about CLIA.
Q Why might you find it helpful to understand your own customized genetic profile?
A Advances in genetics research are empowering people to assume greater personal responsibility for their health. Tools such as Sciona’s MycellfTM Program make it possible to take positive steps to improve your health. Through a combination of genetic analysis, diet and lifestyle evaluation, and education, the MycellfTM Program provides the guidance you need to begin your journey to achieve your personal health goals.
Q What is a genetically-personalized nutrition and health assessment and why is it important?
A The genetically-personalized nutrition and health assessment that is provided by Sciona’s MycellfTM Program is designed to give you answers and guidance on your personal nutrition and health. These answers are based on the diet, lifestyle, and unique genetic profile that are generated through the MycellfTM Program. The purpose of a genetic assessment is to educate and empower you by providing a personalized scientific roadmap that you can follow in your journey to optimal health.
Q What is the scientific reasoning behind the MycellfTM Program?
A Sciona’s MycellfTM Program is based on well-established associations between human genes and diet and lifestyle choices. These associations are referenced in multiple, peer-reviewed scientific journals that are independent from Sciona. The scientific literature is the “conversation” by which scientists around the world share their findings.
Sciona recognizes that scientific advancement in the field of personal genetics is occurring at a rapid rate and is committed to updating its programs and technology on an ongoing basis. The company is further committed to marketing only assessments that have a credible foundation in scientific research.
Q What types of diet and lifestyle parameters does the MycellfTM Program analyze?
A The MycellfTM Program includes a comprehensive diet and lifestyle questionnaire that looks at a number of important factors that influence health. Examples include the types and amounts of foods you typically eat and their nutrient value, dietary supplement use, sun exposure, and whether you smoke.
Q What are genes and why are they important to know about?
A Think of genes as being a sentence. Genes contain letters that make up words that together create a sentence that communicates something to the reader. Similarly, a gene is a segment of the DNA that contains the information for making a protein. DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, the chemical that makes up the genetic material. Hidden in the DNA in a special code are the instructions for how, when and where our bodies make each of the many thousands of proteins required for life.
The code “words” in each of these DNA “sentences” are constructed from combinations of four letters: A,T,C, and G. Each gene’s code combines the “letters” A, T, C and G in various ways, spelling out the “words” that specify which amino acid is needed at every step in the process of making the proteins. There are several different amino acids and they serve as the building blocks for constructing each protein molecule.
Genes are important because they’re the blueprint for all of the many functions that are required for life.
Q How can understanding my genes give me a longer, healthier life?
A Your health is a result of interactions between your genes and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, smoking and alcohol. It’s your genetic make-up that determines which nutrients are used and how they are used; the way toxins are removed, what happens to any waste products and how efficient and effective these key processes are within the body. However, by adjusting your diet and lifestyle, you may have an impact on how your genes work and you may be able to compensate for areas in which your genes may not be functioning at an optimal level.
Q What are “gene variations”?
A With the exception of identical twins, there are small differences between individuals in terms of the information their DNA contains. It’s these differences that make each of us unique. For example, one genetic “letter” (A,T, C or G) may be replaced by another. These variations can lead to different processes in the body, just as altering one letter in a word can completely change its meaning; for instance, from “g”oat to “c”oat. When the variation affects only one genetic letter, as in the goat/coat example above it, and is common within a population (present in 1% or more), it is called a SNP, pronounced “snip,” for single nucleotide polymorphism.
Q Are gene variations bad?
A Gene variations aren’t necessarily bad. In many cases, gene variations have no effect on body systems or general health. In some cases, these variations can be beneficial when the change they bring about allows the body to function better than it usually does. However, sometimes a variation can make the gene send a garbled message to the cell. Upon receiving the garbled message, the cell manufactures a product – such as an enzyme – that doesn’t work as it should. The variant enzyme may; for example, work faster or slower than is best for the conditions under which the body is working (your “environment”). Combined with an unhealthy diet or lifestyle, such gene variations may negatively influence your overall health.
Q If there are variations in my genes, can these be corrected?
A Your genes are your genes for life. Sciona is not involved in gene therapy – the science of correcting unique and unusual gene variations – and does not offer treatment of any kind. Rather, we provide advice that takes into account the presence of common genetic variations. Information provided through Sciona’s MycellfTM Program is designed to assist you in achieving and maintaining good health by following dietary and lifestyle advice tailored to your own unique genetic profile.
Q How are specific lifestyle recommendations developed from the MycellfTM Program?
A Sciona has developed a patented software program that integrates a large amount of information from your gene analysis, your diet and lifestyle questionnaire, published nutrition research, our own collaborative research projects, and continuous monitoring of the peer-reviewed studies published in the scientific literature.
The software uses complex mathematical algorithms to integrate this vast amount of information and generate diet and lifestyle recommendations personalized to you. Because Sciona focuses its products and its research and development efforts on genes that have an impact on an individual’s response to diet, lifestyle and/or nutritional supplementation, you can be confident that the recommendations you will receive are designed to provide you with a roadmap for using your genes to maximize your health.
Q Does the service offer any benefit that I wouldn't get if I followed all the good advice from healthcare professionals, research organizations, magazine articles, specialized healthcare charities, etc?
A Yes. Most current advice is based on what is good for the general population, which may not take into account your specific needs based on your genetic uniqueness and lifestyle choices. By taking the MycellfTM Program, you can, for the first time, receive health advice that is oriented towards the uniqueness of you.
Q How is my DNA collected?
A In the privacy of your home, you will be able to remove cells from the lining of your cheek using a special swab. The swab is then returned to the company in the provided protection tube and prepaid envelope and used for the genetic analysis.
Q Does collecting my DNA involve needles or blood samples?
A No, you simply use a mouth swab to collect cheek cells, which contain your DNA.
Q How long does it take to get my MycellfTM Program results?
A Typically it takes 3 - 4 weeks for you to receive your test results and personalized report with diet and lifestyle recommendations.
Q What will my MycellfTM Program Action
Plan tell me?
A Your Action Plan will contain:
- Your genetic profile
- Personal diet, nutrient and lifestyle advice tailored to your genetic profile
- Information on genes, nutrition and health
- A guide to vitamins and minerals
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Definitions of key terms
- Gene Variation Population Frequency chart
- A resource directory
The advice you get from Sciona is based on the latest scientific research and your body’s real needs, not on the latest dietary fad.
Q How does Sciona protect my privacy?
A Protecting your privacy is at the core of our service at Sciona. We recognize your need for strong privacy protection and the careful management of your personal information. Any information you share with Sciona is kept strictly confidential and is secured electronically using sophisticated encryption technology.
Your DNA Sample will be destroyed immediately after the completion and verification of your gene analysis.
Your Genetic Information will not be directly associated with your personal information collected from the Lifestyle Questionnaire, but will be stored in an anonymized database maintained to facilitate clients’ requests for replacing lost reports. Your anonymized information may be used by Sciona to conduct further analyses for commercial purposes. Under no conditions will this information be released to third parties in a way that discloses personal information, except with your written permission, unless required by law.
Your Personal Information will not be disclosed to anyone within Sciona except those conducting the MycellfTM Program, unless required by law.
Q Who should the media contact for interviews and more information?
A Please contact Jan Strode at 619-890-4040 or janstrode@aol.com