Is Anyone Part of the Million Veteran Program (MVP)?

[g5000]

I don't recall exactly how the VA convinced me to participate in the MVP, but I got an email, followed the link, logged on and took the first couple surveys.

Apparently, by agreeing to join, I am now "required" to send in a blood sample so they could extract my DNA for their records.

I received a kit in the mail yesterday which allows me to take my own blood and then mail it back in.

I never knew such a kit existed. Interesting!

I joined the military before they started collecting servicemembers' DNA. But when I separated after 20 years, part of the discharge process was providing my DNA on a cotton swab to the medical department.

I fudged the paperwork to avoid doing so. I am really uncomfortable with anyone having my DNA. I don't know why, I just am.

Now the VA wants my DNA.

I don't mind the endless surveys asking me all kinds of personal questions, but I am now not allowed to proceed forward until I provide my DNA.

I would like to be of service to my fellow vets and any future vets as this is supposed to be a metadata study to improve our mental and physical health care.

Has anyone else joined the MVP? What are your impressions, concerns, happy thoughts?

Why do they need my blood instead of a cotton swab?

23 and me takes a cotton swab and tells you where your ancestors a thousand years ago lived, and reveals you have a daughter you never knew about...

Why does the MVP want my blood?

 

[toobfreak]

I am really uncomfortable with anyone having my DNA. I don't know why, I just am.

Maybe because with your DNA, they have a blueprint to all that is you? From cloning copies of you to knowing everything about you, your parents and their parents. Its all there.

 

[daveman]

Maybe because with your DNA, they have a blueprint to all that is you? From cloning copies of you to knowing everything about you, your parents and their parents. Its all there.

Not to mention any propensity to future illnesses with a genetic component.

 

[whitehall]

What is it? I'm a Vet and I'm up for government bennies but they seem to be tied with a political agenda.

 

[g5000]

What is it? I'm a Vet and I'm up for government bennies but they seem to be tied with a political agenda.

I was at the VA for a procedure and they asked me if I was interested in the MVP. I had no idea what it was.

I pretty much avoided the VA until recently. When I retired, I wanted nothing to do with the military ever again. This is not an uncommon phenomenon for retirees. Most of the people who use the VA are those who served one or two enlistments.

But it turns out the VA in my area is far and above superior to the health care I have received in the civilian sector.

Apparently, they are gathering genetic information, perhaps to identify markers for various diseases. It must be more in depth than just sending in a cotton swab of your saliva. The vampires want your blood.

A large part of MVP is a bunch of surveys about your background and medical history and military experience.

The long term goal is to improve health care for veterans.

You can sign up here: MVP Home | Veterans Affairs

I took two or three of their surveys but stopped when I got the kit in the mail which allows you to take your own blood and mail it back to them.