Am I the only one here who thinks all those people imaged on the web site have really weird eyes? Creepy.
no, you're not. That site looks like an advert for Elysium
Theranos
61–70 of 127 posts
Re: Theranos
#62"We believe access to accurate, affordable, real-time diagnostic information is a basic human right." There's a bit of a conflict-of-interest if the company that makes money providing "X" declares that "X" is a basic human right. Even as a non-profit (most hospitals are non-profit, but that just means the corporation doesn't keep earnings), you can't justify that statement.
What they mean is that they want to provide testing in such an easy, affordable, useful way that it can become a basic human right/the standard. It is similar to how literacy could become a basic human right once books became cheap, accessibly written and easy to distribute. Should the company that brings about this change be able to expect people to demand its (and its competitors') services? That is what you are as…
I would argue the right to literacy is already a human right. The price of books is orthogonal.
Re: Theranos
#63The company is all hot air. They have a board full of retired military figure heads that have no experience in medical devices or retail services. Additionally, they do not have any products to show. Look at their patents. They are all very general and broad. There has been NO FDA CLEARANCE for anything they are doing, which raises legal questions. Speaking of legal, search for lawsuits they are involved in. Their co…
The only lawsuit information I've found so far shows Theranos as the plaintiff, represented by Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP. That would be David Boies, fwiw.
Are there others?
Edit: Here's some background: http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20FDCO%2020121203541
Re: Theranos
#64"We believe access to accurate, affordable, real-time diagnostic information is a basic human right." There's a bit of a conflict-of-interest if the company that makes money providing "X" declares that "X" is a basic human right. Even as a non-profit (most hospitals are non-profit, but that just means the corporation doesn't keep earnings), you can't justify that statement.
Agreed, although I don't mind so much whether they are making money off it- anyone making money off promoting freedom of speech is welcome to promote free speech as a human right. But there's an issue of basic human right inflation thats slightly distasteful. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to own property without it being arbitrarily taken away for you by someone stronger. Those are basic human right…
Who grants basic rights? If they're God-given, perhaps they're immutable. Nature grants no rights, and is perfectly willing to stand by idle while we slaughter each other by the millions.
The alternative is that basic rights are agreed upon by the society, and as the society matures and evolves, why shouldn't its understanding of what basic rights are change?
Re: Theranos
#65"We believe access to accurate, affordable, real-time diagnostic information is a basic human right." There's a bit of a conflict-of-interest if the company that makes money providing "X" declares that "X" is a basic human right. Even as a non-profit (most hospitals are non-profit, but that just means the corporation doesn't keep earnings), you can't justify that statement.
[deleted]
Re: Theranos
#66"We believe access to accurate, affordable, real-time diagnostic information is a basic human right." There's a bit of a conflict-of-interest if the company that makes money providing "X" declares that "X" is a basic human right. Even as a non-profit (most hospitals are non-profit, but that just means the corporation doesn't keep earnings), you can't justify that statement.
The environment in which Theranos operates is highly regulated, often to the benefit of entrenched/concentrated incumbent providers rather than consumers.
So throwing in a little reminder that a cheaper/faster/on-demand offering has a 'right-of-access' dimension may be useful, as a balance against any FUD/appeals-to-traditional-gatekeeper-authority, coming from other slower/higher-cost providers.
They do say the right is for "access to...", rather than for "free provision of...".
Re: Theranos
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
With the volumes they're dealing with and the automation they tout I bet they're using integrated microfluidic chips with built in sensor technology. That's so cool and it makes sense given the time they spent in stealth mode since that's a rather new technology and getting it certified must've taken some time. Looking a patents and bingo, they have patents on microfluidic techniques. Awesome. Eventually they might h…
You appear to be interested and aware of the current state of clinical chemistry. Are you aware of any HN/Slashdot-esque sites for this pursuit? One of my main areas of hobbyist interest this year is biochemical assays and health diagnostic mechanisms, but there is a lot of chaff in my google searches. Any pointers would be appreciated. My email is in my profile if you would like to discuss it more in depth.
The diybio mailing list has many interesting discussions:
http://diybio.org/
Re: Theranos
#68> We believe access to accurate, affordable, real-time diagnostic information is a basic human right.
Your employer thinks likewise.
Re: Theranos
#69Earlier quoted context omitted.
What they mean is that they want to provide testing in such an easy, affordable, useful way that it can become a basic human right/the standard. It is similar to how literacy could become a basic human right once books became cheap, accessibly written and easy to distribute. Should the company that brings about this change be able to expect people to demand its (and its competitors') services? That is what you are as…
I would argue the right to literacy is already a human right. The price of books is orthogonal.
Before books were inexpensive and widely distributed, other means of communication fulfilled many of the functions of books. That is why I chose that example. If you believe that literacy is an eternal human right, substitute one of the other more economically dependent ones such as the right to a lawyer. I don't want my analogy to get in the way of my point for you.
Re: Theranos
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
You appear to be interested and aware of the current state of clinical chemistry. Are you aware of any HN/Slashdot-esque sites for this pursuit? One of my main areas of hobbyist interest this year is biochemical assays and health diagnostic mechanisms, but there is a lot of chaff in my google searches. Any pointers would be appreciated. My email is in my profile if you would like to discuss it more in depth.
The diybio mailing list has many interesting discussions: http://diybio.org/
I have looked at the DIYBio groups on a number of occasions, and while they are fascinating it their own right, they aren't quite what I am interested in. DIYBio (as far as I can tell) is considerably more interested in DNA sequencing and genetics, whereas I am more interested in diagnostic tools for improving my quality and quantity of life.
An example of something I am interested in is: http://jenslabs.com/category/electronics/ketosis-detector/
but my more general question is: how can we do everything a standard blood panel does now, except do it extremely frequently (e.g. daily or hourly or even continuously) and noninvasively or as close as is feasible.
Of course, I know very little about the field, so this might all be the equivalent of "Hey guys, I know a little HTML and I was wondering if I could build a MMORPG..." posts on gamedev, but hey, gotta start somewhere. :D