However, the basic idea actually is possible, but only for a very select few of the tests they proposed (which they still unfortunately didn't really get right of course). My point is that, unfortunately, the tests that are possible to do now won't get a company to form out of it - simply because they ruined the scene for everyone. Anyone trying to get a company going in this area and raising money for it will be met with a complete block of resistance because of the precedent set, even if the technology is actually completely reliable.
So, no very quickly people were calling Theranos either incompetent or fraudulent.
My point is that the general idea was not a bad idea, and because it was so badly mismanaged (trying to add too many products and run before walking, using other companies' tech illegally, etc, etc) we now are worse off because few people want to attempt doing the possible ideas in this space (because people think none of it is possible - which is simply not true).
The company that could reliably be made is far less 'attractive' of course, but it would still be quite beneficial.
We looked it up and it cost a little less to *buy the FDA approved equipment for your house, and run the test every day for an entire month*.
It's absolutely heinously broken - almost completely due to insurance companies. Insurance should be made illegal and obsolete due to the insane hindrance it is to progress in humanity.
You really didn’t provide enough information for a more detailed analysis, but for example there’s a reason hospitals don’t just use the cheap COVID tests and call it good.
There is a reason I mentioned FDA approved equipment though - it is substantially more expensive to have that label (despite being able to purchase items that claim similar parameters, those need to be exhaustively tested). Despite this, the statement that purchasing some types of equipment for your home and using it regularly, is still often far cheaper than going to the physicians office and getting a test once.
I suppose I am a bit out of the typical demographic though, as I would rather use my own TEM made in my garage to do quick analyses of lab materials than take it to my colleagues across the hall and sign up for a slot on their more resolute EM. Being able to work independently and have your own data is a nice thing sometimes.
The actual process of doing blood work is often surprisingly complicated.