Theranos Session at the 2016 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo: Expectations, Impressions, and Takeaways

Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos' CEO, delivered a special session at the 2016 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo titled “Theranos Science and Technology: The Miniaturization of Lab Testing.” AACC's decision to host the event, intended to describe the company's laboratory testing framework for the first time, was controversial and stimulated much discussion among AACC membership. The following pieces present the personal, thoughts, feelings, and reflections of 5 session attendees who share their perspectives before and after the Holmes session. I will begin with a bias: disruptive technology is a good thing and should be actively encouraged. Our profession has a long history of embracing such disruption, and avoiding new technology to maintain an existing business model (even a laboratory or academic model) is likely to fail. When I first heard claims that Theranos could perform large numbers of tests on a drop of blood, my reaction was a desire to find out more and get on the bandwagon. It quickly became clear, however, that their model of operation focused on secrecy and vertical integration in a way that effectively prevented independent verification, scientific scrutiny, and an open understanding of the limitations of their technology. Disruptive technology was, and is, coming; however, it was difficult to tell if Theranos would be the …