An Open Letter from Dr. Scott Woodward, President and Chief Scientific Officer for the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, following his appearance on Barbara Walter's "The View," which aired on ABC on June 16, 2006.

SALT LAKE CITY (June 20, 2006)—We would like to thank all of those who watched the recent segment on The View that featured the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF), which aired Friday, June 16. Response to SMGF's appearance on the program has been extraordinary, and the Foundation has received an unprecedented number of requests for our DNA collection kits.

Despite the tremendous success of The View's SMGF segment, we felt we needed to clarify a number of misconceptions which have arisen. As with any television program, a limited amount of time was devoted to this segment. Accordingly, not all of the salient facts were fully discussed; nor were all of the ideas fully explored – or even introduced.

One of the most common and significant misconceptions is that the information gathered by SMGF could be used to reveal personal medical or forensic information about participants.

Many people are concerned about privacy issues, especially regarding health information. The DNA information SMGF collects and analyzes does not include medical or forensic information. Rather, SMGF provides reliable genetic family history information for people throughout the world and across generations. Participants' privacy is further protected by the stringent protocols and safeguards we follow at SMGF.

The mission of SMGF is to promote a sense of connection, belonging and identity among all people by showing how closely we all are related as members of one human family. To fulfill this mission, SMGF is currently building the Sorenson Database, the world's leading collection of combined genetic and family history information. We are collecting samples and family history records from people among all nations, cultures and populations.

James LeVoy Sorenson, successful inventor of medical devices and founder of SMGF, has pledged millions of dollars to building the Sorenson Database. As it grows and matures, one of the most powerful things the Sorenson Database will be able to do is to take any two individuals and show them not only that they are related, but also how they are related.

Other misconceptions relate to participation in the Sorenson Database. To participate in building the Sorenson Database, an individual sends in a simple mouthwash rinse, together with a chart containing four generations of family history information and a signed consent form.

When an individual sends in this genealogy and DNA sample, she or he does not receive back personalized information. To receive personal information back, individuals need to work with a commercial testing facility. In the example of Ms. Walters, we have arranged for this to be done; when her genetic profile is completed, I (Dr. Scott Woodward) will again appear on The View to discuss the results.

I misspoke when I said that results would be posted within 2-3 weeks to the Sorenson Database. Due to the heavy volume of participation kits we receive, it can take up to six months for results to be analyzed and posted on the Sorenson Database.

We hope this letter clarifies any misconceptions that participants and followers of SMGF and The View have received. We sincerely hope that you will be interested in following the SMGF story as the Sorenson Database continues to grow, and invite you to participate in helping us "Build the World's Genetic Family Tree…One Branch at a Time."

Sincerely,
Scott Woodward, Ph.D.
President and Chief Scientific Officer
The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation