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Bone marrow registry used "sexy scientist" models to get DNA swabs
By James Brady RyanDecember 17th, 2010, 10:50 amComments (24)
Caitlin Raymond International, a bone-marrow registry in New England, decided that the best way to get more DNA swabs — which would mean more potential donor matches in their records — would be to appeal to a man's libido. So they hired models, decked out in the "sexy scientist" uniform of heels, short skirts, and lab coats, to approach men at malls and ballparks and flirt with them until they handed over the DNA goods. The only problem? They didn't exactly tell the guys what they were getting into.
The men knew they were signing up for the potential-bone-marrow-donor list, of course; I doubt even a sexy woman saying you'd be "a hero" would convince a straight guy to give away his DNA without knowing why. But they didn't mention that the price of processing each swab — approximately $4,300 — would be charged against the men's insurance. (That can't be good for keeping volunteer donor rates high.) Maybe the men would still have participated, of course, but you should really let people be selfless with all the relevant information.
So, while the New Hampshire attorney general is investigating Caitlin Raymond International's practices, the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, the holding company of CRI, has stopped seeking donors in NH all together. Probably not the outcome expected when someone had the bright idea to take advantage of a man's downstairs brain.
Commentarium (24 Comments)
bone(r) marrow. I'm so sorrry, people.
She's not a scientist, but she plays one at the mall.
I'll be more than happy to give her a DNA swab - one that she can take home with her.
I'd only give her HALF my DNA. (Google meiosis, you'll get it)
No, explainerguy, you are a hero.
Expensive... Last time I gave a woman a DNA sample, only cost me a couple of hundred...
Sexual manipulation. Whoever thought it up ought to be in jail and the company ought to have to pay every victim.
Ummm... I signed up for the bone marrow registry a few years back. If I remember right, the DNA analysis costs less than $100.
The one pictured made the Guinness Book of World Records as the first female blonde scientist ever.
I don't get how the insurance companies were charge w/o the stupid men handing over their insurance cards? Story doesn't make sense to me, but then again, I'm a woman so I probably don't understand how these idiots thnk.
Gelfling... nether do we...
Gelfling....you sound bitter.
Bullsballs....you don't know how you think?
sLappy - he means he doesn't think he would be thinking in that situation. I think...
To DMC: would you settle for a class action suit against the entire advertising industry then?
a stranger asks for a DNA sample and insurance details and they just hand it over? However attractive the stranger I find this hard to swallow...
@ anon: THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.
Gelfling, as a woman, you probably don't understand much, do you?
Action in this case would do. Most ads just try to get people to buy something, not give their precious bodily fluids for free.
There's usually a month a year where you can join the bone marrow donor registry for free. I think April? Either way, I joined sometime a few years back and it didn't cost anything. I think if you pay full price it's about $100 so I'm kind of confused by the $4300.
Did they obtain the written informed consent of the participants? If so, I don't think they have a case. The consent forms should contain a paragraph regarding financial matters, including compensation for participation or charges that are the responsibility of the participant.
Why does a donor have to pay at all? Just signing up for a very painful and potentially dangerous procedure to help someone else should be more than enough.
If I was a guy I would be concerned about getting a letter saying that my DNA matches that of a child and I owe back child support. Once you donate a DNA sample to any organization you don't know what they will or won't do with the information.
Hahaha Nick, I think I'm the only one who appreciates your comment!
you like my