Kit Order Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: July 1, 2023
These Kit Order Terms and Conditions ("Kit Terms") govern the purchase and processing of whole genome sequencing (WGS) kits from Mosaic Biodata Inc. ("Mosaic," "we," "us," or "our"). By purchasing a kit, you ("Customer," "you," or "your") agree to these Kit Terms, our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Genetic Data Consent Notice.
Service Description
What We Provide:
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) using advanced Next Generation Sequencing technology (Complete Genomics T7 with DNBSEQ™ or equivalent)
Coverage of approximately 3 billion nucleotides at an average of 30x depth
Pseudonymized VCF file aligned to GRCh38/hg38 reference genome
Access to genetic data through your Mosaic account
Additional Services (Coming Soon):
We are developing the capability for users to upload VCF files from third-party genetic testing providers, including:
Whole genome sequencing from other laboratories
23andMe, AncestryDNA, Nebula Genomics, and similar services
Clinical genetic testing results (VCF format)
When available:
Separate terms and pricing will apply.
File format and quality requirements will be specified.
Not all VCF files may be compatible with our analysis algorithms.
A 30-day advance notice will be provided before launch
Lifestyle Reports: Lifestyle reports (nutrition, fitness, sleep, hormones, athletics) are purchased separately or as part of bundled packages. These Kit Terms govern only the purchase and processing of the WGS kit.
Non-Medical Use and Limitations: This service provides whole genome sequencing data for informational and research purposes only. It does not provide, and should not be used for:
Medical diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment recommendations
Clinical genetic testing or medical decision-making
Pharmacogenomic prescribing information
Reproductive, fertility, or prenatal counseling
Mental health assessment or psychological evaluation
Prediction or diagnosis of disease or medical conditions
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional or genetic counselor for medical interpretation of genetic information or to make informed health-related decisions about your health.
Sequencing Coverage Limitations: Our sequencing does not analyze all genomic regions. Some regions have low or no coverage, including centromeres, highly repetitive sequences, complex structural variants, and portions of the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA. Not all variant types (rare variants, structural variations, copy number variations, epigenetic modifications) may be detected or included in your VCF file.
Kit Purchase
What's Included:
DNA collection kit with saliva collection tube and stabilization solution
Detailed collection instructions
Prepaid return shipping label (U.S. customers only)
Laboratory processing by a CLIA-certified laboratory partner
VCF file delivery to your Mosaic account
Payment Terms:
All prices in USD
Payment processed via a PCI-compliant payment processor
Applicable sales tax added at checkout based on shipping address.
Payment method securely stored for future transactions
Shipping:
United States: Free standard shipping (1-2 business days); prepaid return shipping label included
International: Customer is responsible for all shipping costs (delivery and return), customs clearance, import permits, duties, taxes, and VAT
Kit Activation and Registration
Activation Requirements: You must activate your kit online at https://mosaicbio.io/activate before or immediately after returning your sample. Activation:
Links the kit number to your Mosaic account
Requires completion of the Genetic Data Consent Notice
Must occur within 30 days of laboratory receipt, or the sample will be destroyed with no data generated and no refund issued.
Account Requirements:
Must be 18+ years old or have parental/guardian consent
Required information: Name, email, date of birth, shipping address
You confirm the sample is your own DNA, or you have legal authorization to submit it.
You confirm that providing samples complies with export laws in your country.
Sample Collection and Return
Collection Instructions:
Provide approximately 2mL of saliva in the provided collection tube.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for 30 minutes before collection.
Add stabilization solution and seal the tube properly, following the kit instructions.
Store at room temperature after collection.
Return Deadlines:
Return kit within 180 days of purchase or before kit expiration date (whichever comes first)
Kits received after the deadline will not be processed.
No extensions available for expired kits
Sample Quality Requirements: For successful processing, samples must have:
Sufficient saliva volume (approximately 2mL)
No contamination from food particles, blood, or other substances
Proper storage and timely return per instructions
Laboratory Processing
Processing Facility:
CLIA-certified laboratory partner
Federally regulated under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
Secure chain of custody and sample tracking protocols
Quality management and quality control systems
Data Flow:
User → Mosaic → Laboratory Partner → Mosaic → User
The laboratory partner:
Receives saliva sample with kit number only (no personal identifiers)
Performs whole genome sequencing using Next Generation Sequencing technology
Generates a pseudonymized VCF file aligned to the GRCh38/hg38 reference genome
Transmits VCF file to Mosaic via encrypted API
Destroys the physical sample immediately after successful sequencing
Does not retain genetic data or personal information
Processing Timeline:
4-6 weeks from laboratory sample receipt to data availability
Timeline not guaranteed and may vary based on laboratory capacity, sample quality, or technical issues.
No refunds issued for processing delays
Real-time progress tracking is available in your account dashboard
Processing Stages:
Sample received at the laboratory
DNA extraction and quality assessment
Whole genome sequencing
Bioinformatics analysis and variant calling.
VCF file generation and quality control
Data delivery to your Mosaic account
Data Delivery:
VCF file delivered to secure Mosaic account
Email notification when results are ready
24/7 access to data once delivered
Sample Destruction: Physical samples are destroyed immediately after successful processing using approved biomedical waste disposal procedures. No physical samples are retained.
Data Storage, Security, and Compliance
Storage Infrastructure:
Location: All genetic data is stored in the United States data centers
SOC 2 Type II certified cloud infrastructure
No data storage in foreign jurisdictions
Access is restricted from foreign adversary entities
Security Measures:
Encryption: AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit
Access Controls: Multi-factor authentication, role-based permissions
Monitoring: 24/7 security monitoring and intrusion detection
Audits: Regular third-party security assessments
Regulatory Compliance:
Federal Requirements:
CLIA: Sequencing performed by CLIA-certified laboratory partner
GINA: Compliance with Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
In alignment with U.S. government policies regarding bulk sensitive data transfers, including anticipated regulations from the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury regarding countries of concern
State Requirements:
California Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA)
In alignment with the Texas genetic privacy legislation under consideration
Compliance with applicable state consumer protection and genetic privacy laws
International Requirements:
GDPR (EU/UK): Article 9 special category data protection
PIPEDA (Canada): Personal information protection standards
LGPD (Brazil): Sensitive data handling requirements
Compliance with local laws where services are offered
Prohibited Access:
We prohibit access to genetic data by entities or persons from countries designated as foreign adversaries by the U.S. government, including but not limited to:
People's Republic of China
Russian Federation
Islamic Republic of Iran
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
Republic of Cuba
Any entity or person subject to the jurisdiction of these countries
International Data Transfers:
For International Users: Your data is transferred to and stored in the United States. We implement appropriate safeguards for international data protection compliance:
EU/UK Residents (GDPR):
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) with cloud infrastructure providers
Right to detailed information about safeguards (contact support@mosaicbio.io)
Right to object to international transfers.
Right to lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority.
Right to delete data at any time
Other Jurisdictions:
Compliance with PIPEDA (Canada), LGPD (Brazil), and applicable local laws
Appropriate legal mechanisms for data transfers
Enhanced security measures for cross-border data protection
Reprocessing and Refund Policy
Non-Refundable Purchase: All kit purchases are final and non-refundable, except as specified below.
Sample Processing Failures: If your sample fails processing due to insufficient DNA quantity, poor DNA quality, or contamination:
First Failure: Automatic reprocessing using the remaining sample at no charge
Second Failure: Refund of kit purchase price minus $20 processing fee
After receiving a refund, you may purchase a new kit if you wish to attempt testing again. The $20 processing fee covers laboratory handling, quality assessment, and administrative costs.
No Refunds Provided For:
Unactivated kits (not activated within 30 days of lab receipt)
Expired kits (returned after 180-day deadline or expiration date)
Processing delays regardless of duration
Change of mind after sample submission
Dissatisfaction with VCF file content or coverage
Customer-caused sample quality issues (contamination, insufficient volume, improper storage)
Refund Processing:
Approved refunds processed within 5-10 business days
Refunded to the original payment method
Written confirmation provided upon completion
Data Ownership and Access Rights
Your Ownership
You retain complete ownership of your genetic data. We process and store it only as authorized in our Privacy Policy and Genetic Data Consent Notice.
Initial Free Access Period
You receive 30 days of free data storage and access beginning when your VCF file results become available in your account. During this period, you may:
View your VCF file and reports unlimited times.
Download your VCF file.
Share or export your data to third-party services
Request permanent deletion at any time.
Continued Access Options After Free Period
IMPORTANT: After your initial 30-day free period ends, you have three options:
Option 1: Monthly Storage Subscription (Automatically Renewing)
Service: $5.00 per month (plus applicable taxes) for:
Secure cloud storage of your VCF file
Unlimited VCF downloads and viewing
Continuous access to all reports
24/7 account access
Automatic Renewal: This subscription will automatically renew each month and charge your payment method until you cancel. You can cancel at any time through your account settings or by emailing support@mosaicbio.io with no penalties or fees.
Complete Terms: For full details about automatic renewal, cancellation procedures, billing, your rights, and all subscription terms, see our separate Data Storage Subscription Terms document, which you will review and consent to before enrolling in the subscription service.
Option 2: Archive (No Cost)
If you choose not to maintain a storage subscription:
Reports remain viewable at no cost through your account.
The VCF file is automatically archived and cannot be downloaded or viewed.
You will receive an email notification 5 days before archiving.
Archived data remains securely stored but is inaccessible until it is unarchived.
You may request permanent deletion of archived data at any time
Option 3: Unarchiving (One-Time Fee)
To access archived VCF files, pay a $10 unarchiving fee (per unarchiving event):
Restores full access to your VCF file for 30 days
Allows unlimited viewing and downloading during the 30-day active period
Does not require a storage subscription during the 30-day active period
Can be repeated as needed (each unarchiving provides another 30-day active period)
Data Portability Rights
You may download your VCF file in industry-standard, machine-readable formats during any active access period (free 30 days, subscription period, or unarchived period). We strongly recommend downloading and storing your own backup copy during the initial 30-day free period.
Data Deletion Rights
You may request permanent deletion of your genetic data (VCF file and reports) at any time, regardless of subscription or archive status:
Deletion Request: Submit via account settings or email support@mosaicbio.io
Processing Timeline: Completed within 30 days with written confirmation
Irreversible: Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Legal Retention: Limited data may be retained for legal/regulatory compliance (transaction records, tax documentation)
Data Retention
Active/Subscribed Data: Retained indefinitely while subscription is active or during free/unarchived periods
Archived Data: Retained securely until you request deletion or restart subscription
After Deletion Request: Genetic data will be permanently deleted within 30 days
Transaction Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and regulatory compliance (separate from genetic data)
Sequencing Technology and Limitations
Technology Used:
Next Generation Sequencing (Complete Genomics T7 with DNBSEQ™ or equivalent platforms)
Average 30x genome coverage
Alignment to GRCh38/hg38 reference genome
Industry-standard bioinformatics pipelines for variant calling.
Technical Limitations:
Coverage Gaps: The following genomic regions may have low or no coverage:
Centromeric regions and heterochromatin
Highly repetitive sequences and tandem repeats.
Complex structural variants and inversions
Segmental duplications and pseudogenes
Portions of the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA
Variant Detection Limitations:
No-Call Regions: Areas where sequencing data doesn't meet quality thresholds
Rare Variants: Many rare genetic variants may not be detected
Structural Variations: Large insertions, deletions, or rearrangements may be missed
Copy Number Variations: Changes in gene copy number may not be detected
Epigenetic Modifications: DNA methylation and other epigenetic changes are not analyzed.
Analysis Limitations:
Reference Genome Bias: Analysis based on reference genomes that may not represent all populations
Algorithm Constraints: Bioinformatics tools have inherent accuracy limitations
Population Bias: Most genetic research is conducted on European ancestry populations
Complex Inheritance: Difficulty analyzing complex genetic interactions (epistasis)
Scientific Evolution:
Genetic science is continually evolving; interpretations may change as research advances.
Variant annotations are updated regularly in genetic databases.
Discoveries may change the understanding of variant effects.
Most genetic variants have small effect sizes for complex traits
Risks and Important Considerations
Privacy and Security Risks:
Data Permanence: Genetic data cannot be changed and has lifelong implications
Re-identification: Even pseudonymized genetic data carries potential re-identification risks
Family Privacy: Your genetic data reveals information about biological relatives who have not consented
Future Unknown Uses: Unknown future applications of genetic data may pose unforeseen privacy risks
Third-Party Exposure: Sharing data with third parties increases privacy exposure
For complete information about risks, see our Genetic Data Consent Notice.
Discrimination and Legal Risks:
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) provides federal employment and health insurance protections, but does NOT cover:
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Long-term care insurance
State and international protections vary. See our Genetic Data Consent Notice for complete details.
Your Responsibilities:
Consider potential emotional impact before testing.
Understand that genetic information does not determine health outcomes.
Review third-party privacy policies carefully before sharing VCF data.
Consult healthcare professionals or genetic counselors for medical interpretation.
Consider implications for biological family members.
Third-Party Data Sharing
Your Right to Share: You may download your VCF file and share it with third-party applications for additional analysis, interpretation, or research purposes.
Critical Limitations:
No Control: Once shared, we cannot control how third parties use, store, or protect your genetic data
Independent Policies: Third-party services operate under their own privacy policies, terms of service, and security standards that may differ significantly from ours
Your Responsibility: You are solely responsible for:
Reviewing third-party privacy policies and terms before sharing
Understanding how third parties will use your data
Accepting risks associated with third-party data handling
Consequences of third-party data breaches or misuse
Data Recovery: Genetic data shared with third parties cannot be retrieved or deleted by us
Revocable Access: You can revoke third-party access to your Mosaic account anytime, but this does not affect data already shared
No Liability: We are not liable for third-party data handling practices, security breaches, commercial use, or any other third-party actions involving your genetic data
Recommendation: Only share genetic data with trusted, reputable services after carefully reviewing their data handling practices and considering long-term privacy implications.
International Customers
Service Availability: Services available in select countries worldwide, subject to:
Compliance with local genetic testing regulations
Compliance with biological sample import/export restrictions
Compliance with local data protection laws
No prohibition on genetic testing services in the customer's jurisdiction
Customer Responsibilities:
Legal Compliance:
You confirm that genetic testing is legal in your country.
You confirm that providing samples complies with export laws in your country.
You are responsible for obtaining any required permits or approvals
Shipping and Customs:
You pay all international shipping costs (delivery and return)
You are responsible for all customs clearance fees, import duties, taxes, and VAT.
You ensure samples clear customs in both the origin and destination countries.
You accept responsibility for any shipment delays or customs issues
Processing Considerations:
International samples may experience additional processing delays.
Some countries may require special documentation or permits.
Regulatory requirements may affect service availability or features
Limitation of Liability
Maximum Liability: Our total liability for any claims arising from these Kit Terms is limited to the amount you paid for the WGS kit.
Excluded Damages: To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for:
Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
Lost profits, revenue, or business opportunities
Emotional distress, psychological harm, or mental anguish
Loss of data or information (except as required by law)
Third-party claims arising from your sharing of genetic data
Processing delays, service interruptions, or force majeure events
Accuracy, completeness, or interpretation of sequencing results
Medical decisions or health outcomes based on genetic data
Disclaimer of Warranties: Services provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including:
No warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
No warranty regarding accuracy, reliability, or completeness of results
No warranty of uninterrupted or error-free service
No warranty regarding specific sequencing coverage or variant detection
No warranty regarding compatibility with third-party services
Essential Purpose: These limitations apply even if any limited remedy fails of its essential purpose.
Jurisdictional Variations: Some jurisdictions do not permit the limitation of certain warranties or damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Modifications to Terms
Notice of Changes: We reserve the right to modify these Kit Terms to reflect changes in law, technology, or business practices. We will provide notice as follows:
Material Changes: 30 days' advance notice via email to the registered address
Minor Changes: 7-day notice for clarifications or non-material updates
Price Changes: 60 days' advance notice for price increases
Legal Requirements: Immediate implementation when required by law or regulation
Material changes include: changes to refund policy, data handling practices, processing procedures, limitation of liability, or dispute resolution.
Your Options:
Accept Changes: Continuing to use services constitutes acceptance.
Reject Changes: Cancel pending orders before the effective date.
Request Refund: Request a refund for prepaid services before the effective date (if materially adverse)
Existing Orders: Orders placed before the effective date of changes will be processed under the terms in effect at the time of purchase, where feasible.
Dispute Resolution
Disputes related to kit orders are subject to the dispute resolution procedures in our Terms of Service, including:
60-day informal resolution period
Binding arbitration administered by JAMS
Individual claims only (no class actions)
Texas venue for non-arbitrated disputes
Contact Information
Customer Support:
Email: support@mosaicbio.io (Include "Kit Order" in subject line)
Response Time: 24-48 hours for standard inquiries; 4-8 hours for urgent issues
Support Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Central Time
Mailing Address:
Mosaic Biodata Inc. Attn: Kit Orders 919 Congress Ave, Suite 525 Austin, TX 78701 United States
Corporate Information:
Incorporated: Delaware, United States
Principal Place of Business: Texas, United States
Entire Agreement
These Kit Terms, together with our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Genetic Data Consent Notice, and other referenced policies, constitute the complete agreement between you and Mosaic regarding the purchase and processing of WGS kits.
By purchasing a WGS kit, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Kit Order Terms and Conditions.