Questions & Answers
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Q. Who is International Genetics, Inc.?
A. International Genetics, Inc. (InGen) is a genetic testing company incorporated in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas with its headquarters in Freeport. Located only 65 miles east of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Freeport is the perfect location to set up an international genetic testing lab. InGen offers several Genetic Disease Screening tests that cost considerably less than the same test(s) offered by some competitors.

Q. What happens to my sample when you get it? How long is it going to take? Why are all the boxes saying "Not Tested"?

A. In order to legally process some of the genetic tests we sell, there are several steps we must go through that our competitors do not.

Here is the procedure we have to go through when we receive a sample:

We scan the sample as received and you are notified that we have it and it is being processed. This sets up the certificate for the dog being tested. Page 2, with the listed tests that we provide, will show all tests as "Not Tested" at this time. (When the results are received, page 2 will then populate with the results of each test.) We then bundle it with other tests received the same week and send to our extraction lab in California. These batches go out every Friday for Monday delivery.

The extraction lab receives the samples and begins the extraction process. The vials of extracted material are batched and sent to us the next Monday for delivery on Tuesday. Then, when we get the extractions, we have to batch each vial according to the tests needed for that dog. This is shipped to our lab in Freeport, Bahamas on Wednesday of each week for delivery on Thursday or Friday, depending on how fast this package gets through customs. It has to be done overnight and cannot be shipped on a Thursday or Friday because the extractions must be kept on ice and we cannot take a chance that they will not clear customs and have to sit in a warehouse over a weekend.

When the testing lab gets the extractions, the individual vials are setup for tests needed and assigned to a plate. We have to run each marker (PRCD, DM, EIC, MDR1, NEWS and vWD) separately on our ABI7000 RTPCR instrument and each plate takes about 3 hours to "cook" to get the results on the test. This does not count the time it takes for preparation of each plate prior to processing or the time it takes to finish up the plate after the tests are done. If there is a delay for any reason, the timing can be thrown off significantly.

As soon as each plate is completed, we review the results for additional verification of tests processed and upload into our system, thus populating your certificate. At that point, an email is sent out letting you know that your results are audited and available for you to retrieve. If you have ordered more than one test marker, please keep in mind that only one type of test can be processed at a time and all test markers will be uploaded separately.

We cannot compete on processing time with the other US labs because we do not conduct all of the processes in one building. InGen will never be able to process a test in less than two weeks regardless of how fast the competition is able to because of the steps we have to go through. However, we can still sell you a test for $60 which saves you approximately $135 per test over the other company

Q. What advantage is there to having a genetics lab located in the Bahamas?
A. InGen markets and sells certain genetic tests that rely on the use of a certain scientific methods. Some of the methods have been patented in the United States, Canada & European Union. These method patents prohibit unlicensed use of the scientific techniques used in the detection of genetic mutations for some diseases within these jurisdictions. These method patents were never filed in The Bahamas and therefore it is perfectly legal and ethical to use the scientific processes in the Bahamian jurisdiction.

Q. I have a test that was given to me by another breeder and it isn't in my Customer Portal page, why not?

A. Any authorized test must be purchased directly from International Genetics through the website, www.ingen.bs/Australia. All test kit numbers are assigned at time of purchase to the purchaser and cannot be given away or sold by the person buying the test.

We make every effort to keep our database confidential- from our customer list, to the dogs they own, to the tests that have been processed. In order to do this, the profile number or kit test number is specific to the dog that has been entered online and belongs to the purchaser of the test. The profile number and any related tests associated with the dog listed under that number can be transferred to another person but the request must come in writing from the registered owner of the test and there are fees associated with this transfer.

Q. I lost the return envelope. Where do I send my samples?
A. Send your samples to our representative in Australia-New Zealand. Here is the information:

Keith Irwin

RMB 9702, Tasman Highway
Triabunna Tasmania 7190

Q. Are any of your tests covered by any patents?
A. Some of our tests have methods that have been patented in certain jurisdictions. However, InGen maintains laboratories in Freeport and Nassau in The Bahamas. These Method Patents were not filed in The Bahamas and InGen is well within its legal rights to perform ANY scientific method that is not covered by a patent in The Bahamas.

Q. Why is my order not going through?
A. Some of our customers have encountered problems with their credit card company processing orders outside their home country. If your credit card does not go through, call the 800 number on the back of the card and let them know you are making a purchase in the Bahamas. It should go through smoothly on the next attempt. If you continue to have problems, you might be using an older version of Mozilla Firefox or Safari or some other browser. Try using Internet Explorer for the purchase.

Q. The number on my Sample Envelope doesn't match the number on the Customer Portal. Why not?
A. The last number on the printed bar code on your Sample Envelope and Pet Data sheet is a "check digit". This number is required on all UPC codes for the computer to be able to read the information in the code. So, if your Sample Envelope profile number is 1234567, the actual test number is 123456.

Q. How do I collect the samples that you need for testing?
A. We provide you with all the materials you need to get a sample from your dog. We use cheek/gum swabs and do not require a blood sample, visit to the vet, expensive shipping of the sample back to us. You simply vigorously rub the swab on the upper gum, place back into the swab packaging, put in the Sample Envelope and mail back to us in the envelope provided. You keep the data sheet to use in entering your dog in your Customer Portal online. If you want a signed receipt for delivery, please use the address included on the slip with your test package.

Q. How long does it take to get my results back?
A. We strive to get all results back within 30 days from the time we receive the DNA samples back in our office. Our database system automatically sends an email to the customer once the samples are scanned into our system. The clock starts at this time. But 45 days is the deadline per InGen’s warranty.

Q. Do you have a turnaround time guarantee?
A. Yes. If any test is not processed and results available to the customer within 45 days from the date of the email alerting the customer to the receipt of the sample, a full refund or a replacement test for the test will be made. See InGen’s terms and conditions for our full refund policy.

Q. Do you produce and mail a Certificate of Genotyping?
A. No. InGen has an automated Internet based system that allows customers to log into our system and download their certificates from any computer, anywhere in the world. Customers will be automatically notified by email once they have finished results in the system. InGen will also archive these certificates for customers which can be accessed anytime. This system allows certificates to be transmitted much faster and it also keeps our costs down which in turn keep our test kit prices down.

Q. What do we receive once our dog is tested?
A. You will receive your pet’s Certificate of Genotyping approximately 30 days after submission of the DNA sample. This certificate will be available as a download from our web site. It will have all information you provided on the online Pet Profile and the results of the disease screening. This is the single most complete document you will ever have of your pet.

Q. How long do you keep a record of my pet information?
A. We will keep information in our secure database for up to 15 years.

Q. The results listed for my dog indicates she has tested either positive, negative or a carrier for the listed diseases. What does this mean?
A. Most dogs will test negative. This means they do not carry the gene that causes the particular disease. Obviously, this is good news. It’s also good information, particularly if you are a breeder, to know absolutely that your pet will not get the disease or pass it to offspring in the future. Unfortunately, some pets will test positive or as a carrier of the bad gene. A positive result means your dog definitely has or will develop the disease in the future. A carrier means that your pet does not have the bad gene(s) but could pass them to future offspring if bred with an animal also being a carrier of the particular disease.

Q. Does the InGen test give breed identification information?
A. No, not at this time. The InGen test is for disease screening.

Q. Can you still perform Parentage Verifications?
A. No. This is no longer available.

Q. What about Physical Attribute Testing? Will InGen do color tests?
A. There are currently no color tests available on the new Premium Test platform. However, InGen is committed to customer satisfaction. If there is a color test that a large amount of our customers request, we will look into offering that test in the future

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