San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has his image and signature on a DNA test offered by Orig3n that claims to reveal whether your genes have the raw potential and qualities that the former NFL All-Pro looks for in players.
Orig3n, which has previously partnered with NFL teams including the 49ers, launched the John Lynch GAMEPLAN DNA test at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to enable a user to “discover new insights about your health and fitness.” Submit a cheek swab, and according to Orig3n, the $79 test can provide a look at a 22-gene profile.
According to Orig3n, this includes analysis of “key contributors to football greatness” that the first-year GM Lynch has identified such as performance (cardiac output, energy output, muscle efficiency, muscle function, oxygen capacity, training response), toughness (bone strength, joint strength and flexibility, muscle power, muscle force, muscle mass, strength building), resilience (cell repair, cellular health, inflammation, pain tolerance, pain sensitivity) and spirit (empathy, happiness, learning ability, memory, warrior or worrier). The website lists specific genes associated with these traits.
NPR reported in November before the Lynch-branded DNA test kits were launched that Orig3n’s DNA test kits — including the introductory ones that the company handed out at Levi’s Stadium for free — have drawn scrutiny from skeptics and regulators.
“The California Department of Public Health is investigating the nature and distribution of these test kits by Orig3n at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara,” a department representative wrote in an email to NPR.
And in September, a planned DNA test giveaway from Orig3n in partnership with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium was called off after it drew scrutiny from the Maryland state health department.
There are privacy concerns as well with the DNA tests even as Orig3n has it bolded and italicized on its website, “Our users are the sole owners of their genetic information, and have the sole right to determine how that information is used.”
Orig3n first partnered with the 49ers in 2016 to reward fans for “contributing to the future of human genome analysis.” As part of the fan experience, those outside Levi’s Stadium could purchase genetic assessments and donate blood samples toward the research of genetically-inherited diseases to earn rewards and win prizes, according to the company.
“It made its rounds around the office about what you were going to do on Faithful Mile, and everyone said, ‘Who would donate blood at a sporting event?’ That was their first reaction. Of course, it blew everyone’s expectations,” 49ers manager of partnership services Nate Racela told Orig3n in a blog entry published in September before the Ravens giveaway was postponed. “The way you guys interact with fans and educate everyone so well. [Orig3n] blew our expectations out of the water.
“If you provide the understanding that this is going to the greater good, that this could help you in 10 years, people are inherently very apt to donate.”
According to the company, its setup at Levi’s Stadium enabled fans to learn about genetic testing, blood cell donation, regenerative medicine and human genome analysis. As part of its sponsorship deal with the 49ers, Orig3n also has its name on everything from the team’s Fan Appreciation Day during a 6-10 season to “DNA of a play” video analysis of 49ers moments on the field that can be found on the team website.
