Microbiome Test — Disclaimer and Terms of Use
For informational and educational purposes only
The microbiome test provides information about the microorganisms detected in the submitted sample and their relative abundance or other characteristics measured by the test. The results are intended for informational and educational purposes only.
Not a medical diagnosis
This test is not a diagnostic test and the results do not constitute a medical diagnosis. Microbiome findings should not be interpreted as evidence that a person has, does not have, or is at increased risk of having a particular disease or medical condition.
The presence, absence, or relative abundance of a microorganism does not by itself indicate that a person is healthy or unhealthy, or that a medical condition is present or absent.
No treatment or medical advice
The test provider does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice based on the microbiome results. The results should not be used to start, stop, or modify medication, supplements, medical treatment, or other healthcare interventions.
If you have symptoms, a diagnosed medical condition, or concerns about your health, you should consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The microbiome test does not replace a medical examination or clinically indicated laboratory or other diagnostic testing.
Interpretation of results
The human microbiome varies substantially between individuals and can be affected by many factors, including diet, lifestyle, age, medications, recent illness, antibiotics, and other environmental or physiological factors.
Microbiome research is an actively developing field. Associations between particular microorganisms, microbial communities, or microbiome characteristics and health conditions do not necessarily demonstrate causation or clinical significance. Scientific knowledge and reference databases may also change over time.
Results therefore represent a snapshot of the microbial community detected in the submitted sample and should be interpreted in the context of the limitations of the testing method.
Limitations of testing
No microbiome sequencing method detects all microorganisms present in a sample. Detection and identification depend on the sample, laboratory procedures, sequencing method, bioinformatic pipeline, reference databases, and other technical factors.
Failure to detect a microorganism does not necessarily mean that it is absent, and detection does not necessarily mean that it is causing a health effect.
Genetic Data and Future Research
The sample submitted for microbiome analysis may contain human DNA in addition to microbial DNA. Depending on the testing and sequencing methods used, human genetic sequences may therefore be generated or incidentally detected.
Human genetic data are treated as sensitive personal data under applicable data-protection legislation. We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect such data.
Use of human DNA data
Human DNA sequences are not used to provide a medical diagnosis, predict disease, or provide medical treatment as part of this service.
Where human DNA data are generated during analysis, they may be separated from directly identifying information and processed using appropriate safeguards, including pseudonymisation, access controls, and secure storage.
Optional use for scientific research
With your separate and voluntary consent, data derived from your sample, including microbiome data and, where applicable, human genetic data, may be used in future scientific research aimed at improving knowledge of the human microbiome, developing analytical methods, validating research findings, or related scientific purposes.
Where possible and appropriate, research datasets will be anonymised before sharing or publication. We will not intentionally publish your name, contact information, or other directly identifying information together with research data.
You may decline this additional research use without affecting your ability to receive the microbiome test or your test results.
Where research use is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements. Withdrawal of consent will not affect processing that has already taken place lawfully before withdrawal.
Research use will be subject to applicable ethical, scientific, and data-protection requirements. Your data will not be sold to third parties for advertising or other unrelated commercial purposes.
Acceptance of these terms
By submitting a sample for testing and accessing the results, you acknowledge that you understand and accept that the microbiome test is an informational service and not a medical diagnostic service, and that the results should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.