OT--Basepaws is looking for diabetic cats for DNA testing

@Mandy & Rex - a cat in remission still has the same genetics as a cat that is currently prescribed insulin.

I'm suspicious of this sort of advertisement. They do not have compelling information about their "team" on the website -- next to nothing about academic credentials. Their senior scientist seems like she's been a PhD microbiologist for only a couple of years and the CEO seems t keep trying different entrepreneurial projects.
 
@JoyBee&Ravan - they may be completely legit. For me, if you have a bunch of science type with strong credentials, you put that information in an accessible way for the public to read about. I also suspect that if you participate in the study, you may get bombarded by their other products (e.g., their equivalent of Ancestry.com for cats). FWIW, breeders get their cats tested for known genetic problems within a breed. Usually this is included in the sale documents, especially if you're purchasing a show cat. This isn't something new.
 
Just a quick follow up about this 'study'. I sent in an application for Maxie who has had FD for over 3 years now and has no other conditions such as acro, Cushing's, hyper-T etc.

I sent the original application and they replied asking for the lab results which I sent. The next day I received this email

"
Hello Mary Ann,

Thank you for applying Maxie to our Diabetes Study. After reviewing your application and labs provided unfortunately Maxie does not qualify for this study. Please see attached letter.

I'd be happy to provide you with a 15% discount if you are interested in still doing DNA testing on him. Please let me know.

Thank you again and I hope Maxie have a wonderful rest of your week.

Kind regards,
Kristin
"


Attached letter

"
Thank you for your interest in Basepaws Feline Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Research Project ! We
really appreciate you taking the time to apply. Unfortunately, your cat doesn’t meet the
qualifications for this studied disease.
We understand that you may be excited to look into the breed and health markers of your kitty,
and would love if you purchased a kit and joined the effort into understanding the full genetic
effects on feline traits and diseases.
Thank mew again for your interest in this work into feline genetics and can’t wait to share the
results with you! Follow our blog at www.basepaws.com/blog for all developments and good
kitty health-posts. If you have any questions at all about our science, please don’t hesitate to
email us at cure@basepaws.com . We hope that you have a purr-fect day!
Sincerely,
Basepaws Research Team
Basepaws Research Team
cure@basepaws.com"

Besides the fact that I told them twice that Maxie was a spayed female they still called her a "him" :eek:. I don't know what they are looking for but Maxie is a perfect example of a long term diabetic kitty who was on a low carb diet, pre-diagnosis and never overweight.

IMHO they are just trying to sell their product.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top