Terms and Conditions – GENERAL GENETICS CORPORATION (GGC DNA)
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the services, test kits, websites, portals, and laboratory testing provided by GENERAL GENETICS CORPORATION (“GGC DNA,” “we,” “us,” “our”). By ordering, registering, submitting a sample, or using our services, you agree to these Terms on your own behalf or on behalf of the person you legally represent.
Contact details
General Genetic Corporation
3655 Research Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88003, United States
Phone: +1 267 388 9828
Email: info@ggcdna.com
1. Scope of Services and Test Limitations
GGC DNA provides a range of DNA and genetic tests, including but not limited to diagnostic panels, carrier screening, non‑invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), predisposition and wellness tests, ancestry and relationship tests, and other clinically focused assays as described in our test menus and order forms. These tests may be diagnostic (used to confirm or rule out certain conditions), predictive or risk‑estimating, carrier‑focused, or informational, depending on the specific test ordered and the clinical context. Each test’s intended use, coverage, and type (diagnostic vs. screening vs. informational) are described in the corresponding product materials or physician documentation, and you are responsible for reviewing this information with your healthcare provider before proceeding.
Except where explicitly stated as a diagnostic test ordered by a licensed healthcare provider, our services are not a substitute for a full clinical evaluation, physical examination, or medical diagnosis. Results are based on current scientific knowledge, available reference data, and validated laboratory methods, but they do not replace professional medical judgment, and we do not practice medicine or provide treatment decisions on your behalf. For many genetic conditions, tests cannot detect all possible variants, very rare changes, or mechanisms outside the regions analyzed, and some results may remain uncertain or “variants of unknown significance.”
While we follow recognized quality standards and applicable U.S. regulations for clinical laboratories, no genetic or laboratory test can guarantee 100% accuracy. Analytical and clinical performance (such as sensitivity, specificity, and false‑positive or false‑negative rates) vary by test type, technology, and indication, and known limitations are summarized in test information sheets or reports. You understand that negative or “normal” results do not eliminate the possibility of disease or risk, and positive results do not guarantee that you will develop a condition or that a condition will follow a specific course.
2. Ordering, Samples, Turnaround, and Results
To process your sample, required order documentation must be complete, and sample collection, labeling, and shipment must follow our instructions. Eligible sample types (e.g., saliva, buccal swab, blood, or tissue) and specific collection requirements are provided with your kit or by your healthcare provider. If you are unsure how to collect or ship a sample, you must contact us or your provider before proceeding.
Unless otherwise stated for a particular assay, the estimated turnaround time is measured from the date we receive an acceptable sample at our laboratory to the date we release results to you or your ordering provider. This timeframe is an estimate only and may be affected by quality checks, repeat testing, instrument issues, or factors beyond our control; we do not guarantee any specific delivery date. Some tests or programs may offer expedited or rush processing for an additional fee, subject to availability and technical feasibility.
Kits should generally be used, and samples returned, within the recommended validity or “use‑by” timeframe indicated in the kit or documentation; sending samples after this period may lead to test failure, the need for recollection, or additional fees, and we reserve the right to decline testing of expired or compromised samples. If a sample is contaminated, insufficient, leaked, damaged in transit, or otherwise unsuitable for analysis, we may request a repeat sample, offer a replacement kit, or charge a nominal recollection or reprocessing fee depending on the circumstances and applicable program rules.
Results are delivered to the ordering healthcare provider and/or to you via secure electronic portals, encrypted email, or other approved methods, consistent with clinical practice and privacy requirements. In some cases, printed reports may be provided through your clinic or upon request. “Inconclusive,” “unclear,” or technically failed results may require re‑analysis or a new sample; whether retesting is complimentary or chargeable depends on the cause of failure (laboratory error vs. sample quality, incorrect collection, or expired kit) and the specific product terms.
3. Payments, Refunds, Cancellations, and Sample Handling
Prices, payment options, and any available installment or payment‑plan arrangements are shown at the time of ordering or in your service agreement. Additional charges may apply for express shipping, rush testing, special collection procedures, or third‑party services requested by you or your provider.
If you cancel before any sample has been collected or before the kit has been dispatched, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund, less any non‑recoverable merchant or administrative fees stated in our current refund policy. Once a kit has shipped or a sample has been collected, we may apply restocking, logistics, or handling deductions; once laboratory processing has begun, most test fees become non‑refundable because consumables, reagents, and capacity have already been used. Time limits to request a cancellation or refund (for example, within a fixed number of days from purchase) are specified in our operational policies and may differ by product or jurisdiction.
If a kit is delivered defective or is damaged in transit before use, you must notify us within the time window indicated in your order documentation so we can verify the issue and, if appropriate, send a replacement kit or credit. If a sample cannot be processed due to issues beyond your reasonable control (for example, carrier damage, equipment failure, or laboratory error), we will generally offer a free repeat test or replacement kit; if failure results from not following instructions, using an expired kit, or improper storage or shipping, we may charge for resampling or decline a refund.
Biological samples are used only for the tests you or your provider have ordered, plus any necessary internal quality‑control or validation procedures. After testing is complete, residual samples may be stored, destroyed, or—where permitted by your consent and local regulations—retained for future quality control, re‑analysis, or ethically approved research. Storage duration and destruction practices follow our laboratory policies and applicable regulations; in some cases, you may request early destruction of residual samples, subject to record‑keeping obligations and clinical considerations.
4. Accuracy, Warranties, Medical Use, and Consent
GGC DNA operates under applicable U.S. laws and standards for clinical laboratories, but we do not warrant that any test, report, or service is error‑free or suitable for every purpose. Except where prohibited by law, all services are provided “as is” and “as available,” and we disclaim all implied warranties, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, to the maximum extent permitted by law. Test results are inherently subject to biological, technical, and interpretive limitations; they may change over time as scientific knowledge evolves or new data emerges.
Unless explicitly indicated in a physician‑ordered diagnostic context, our tests and reports are not intended by themselves to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You remain solely responsible for seeking independent medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional for interpretation of results, clinical decision‑making, treatment planning, or lifestyle changes. We strongly recommend that all clinically significant or uncertain findings be discussed with an appropriate clinician or genetic counselor; genetic counseling may be included, referred, or offered as an optional, separately billed service depending on the program and location.
You understand and agree that, to the fullest extent allowed by law, GGC DNA, its affiliates, and its personnel are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages, or for decisions you or your providers make based on test results, including missed diagnoses, delayed diagnoses, or psychological impact. Where liability cannot be excluded by law, it is limited to the amount actually paid by you for the relevant test. We are not responsible for delays caused by carriers, customs, weather, force majeure, system outages, or other events reasonably beyond our control, though we will make reasonable efforts to mitigate their impact.
Before we perform testing, we require informed consent (paper or electronic) that explains the nature, benefits, risks, and limitations of the test, possible implications for you and your family, and how your data and samples may be used and stored. In some contexts, you may be asked to confirm that you have discussed testing with your physician or agree that you understand testing is not a substitute for medical care. Our materials include a medical disclaimer clarifying that information and reports are for use in conjunction with professional medical advice, not as standalone instructions for diagnosis or treatment.
5. Accounts, Legal Terms, Disputes, and Other Provisions
If you create an online account or access a patient/physician portal, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activities under your account. You must use strong passwords, keep them secure, and notify us promptly of any suspected unauthorized access. We are not liable for losses arising from unauthorized access resulting from your failure to safeguard your credentials or devices.
You may request that we deactivate or close your online account; account closure does not automatically erase all underlying laboratory records, reports, or data that must be retained for legal, regulatory, or quality reasons, but we will handle such requests consistent with our privacy and retention policies. If we are notified of your death, your account and report access may be managed according to applicable law, your healthcare provider’s policies, and any valid legal documents (such as medical power of attorney, estate instructions, or next‑of‑kin authorizations).
These Terms and any dispute arising out of or related to your use of our services are governed by the laws of the State of New Mexico and, where applicable, federal law of the United States, without regard to conflict‑of‑law principles. Unless otherwise agreed in writing or required by law, disputes shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in or serving Las Cruces, New Mexico, and you consent to their personal jurisdiction and venue. We encourage customers and providers to first contact us with any complaints or concerns so we can attempt to resolve issues informally within a reasonable time period; additional internal review, mediation, or arbitration procedures may be offered or required in specific contracts or programs.
Any claim relating to our services must generally be filed within a limited period (for example, one year) from the date you knew or reasonably should have known of the event giving rise to the claim, unless a longer period is mandated by applicable law. If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect. We may update these Terms periodically to reflect changes in our services, laws, or policies; updated versions will be posted on our website and, where appropriate, communicated by additional notice, and continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.