Casey V 23andme

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Mark Ankcorn, SN 166871
Ankcorn Lav Iirm, IC
110 LaureI Slreel
San Diego, CA 92101
TeIehone: (619) 238-1811
IacsimiIe: (619) 544-9232
mark+cgIav.com
Allorneys for IIainliff
and lhe cIass
UNITED 5TATE5 DI5TRICT COURT
FOR THE 5OUTHERN DI5TRICT OF CALIFORNIA
LISA CASIY, an individuaI, on
behaIf of herseIf and olhers
simiIarIy silualed,
IIainliff,
v.
23andMe, INC., a cororalion, and
DOIS 1-100,
Defendanls.
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CASI NO.
C!ass Actinn Cnmp!aint Inr
Vin!atinns nI: Ca!. Bus. & PrnI. C.
17200, ct scq., Ca!. Bus. & PrnI. C.
17500, ct scq., Ca!. Civ. C. 1750, ct
scq., Brcach nI Imp!icd
Warrantics, Un|ust Enrichmcnt,
and Misrcprcscntatinn
COMIS NOW lhe IIainliff, Lisa Casey, on behaIf of herseIf and aII
olhers simiIarIy silualed, on informalion and beIief, and for causes of
aclion againsl lhe Defendanl, and each of lhem, comIains and aIIeges as
foIIovs:
NATURE OF THE ACTION
1. This roosed cIass aclion aIIeges lhal 23andMe, Inc.
(Defendanl) faIseIy and misIeadingIy adverlises lheir SaIiva CoIIeclion
Kil/IersonaI Genome Service (IGS) as roviding heaIlh reorls on
240+ condilions and lrails, drug resonse, carrier slalus, among
olher lhings, vhen lhere is no anaIylicaI or cIinicaI vaIidalion for lhe IGS
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C!ass Actinn Cnmp!aint
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'13CV2847 JMA H
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for ils adverlised uses.
2. In addilion, Defendanl uses lhe informalion il coIIecls from
lhe DNA lesls consumers ay lo lake lo generale dalabases and slalislicaI
informalion lhal il lhen markels lo olher sources and lhe scienlific
communily in generaI, even lhough lhe lesl resuIls are meaningIess.
3 Desile Defendanl's faiIure lo receive markeling aulhorizalion
or arovaI from lhe Iood and Drug Adminislralion (IDA), Defendanl
has sIovIy increased ils Iisl of indicalions for lhe IGS, and inilialed nev
markeling camaigns, incIuding leIevision adverlisemenls in vioIalion of
lhe IederaI Iood, Drug and Cosmelic Acl (IDC Acl).
PARTIE5
4. Al aII limes herein reIevanl, IIainliff Lisa Casey vas and is a
residenl of San Diego Counly, CaIifornia.
5. Al aII limes herein menlioned, Defendanl 23andMe, Inc., a
DeIavare Cororalion, vas and is a cororalion founded in 2006,
headquarlered in Mounlain Viev, CaIifornia, exisling under lhe Iavs of
lhe Slale of DeIavare and doing business in lhe Slale of CaIifornia and
eIsevhere lhroughoul lhe Uniled Slales of America.
JURI5DICTION AND VENUE
6. This Courl has |urisdiclion over lhe sub|ecl maller resenled
by lhis ComIainl because il is a cIass aclion arising under 28 U.S.C.
1332(d), vhich, under lhe CIass Aclion Iairness Acl of 2005 (CAIA),
Iub. L. No. 109-2, 119 Slal. 4 (2005), vhich exIicilIy rovides for lhe
originaI |urisdiclion of lhe IederaI Courls of any cIass aclion in vhich any
member of lhe Iainliff cIass is a cilizen of a slale differenl from any
Defendanl, and in vhich lhe maller in conlroversy exceeds in lhe
aggregale lhe sum of $5,000,000.00, excIusive of inleresl and cosls.
IIainliff aIIeges lhe amounl in conlroversy here exceeds $5,000,000 among
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lhe roosed nalionvide CIass, beIieved lo number al Ieasl in lhe lens or
hundreds of lhousands, olenliaIIy more, vho are enlilIed lo damages in
lhe amounl of lhe urchase rice of lhe IGS, currenlIy soId by Defendanl
for $99.00.
7. This Courl has ersonaI |urisdiclion over Defendanl because
Defendanl is aulhorized lo do business and reguIarIy conducls business
in CaIifornia, and has markeled, designed, and soId IGS in CaIifornia.
Defendanl conducled business in CaIifornia vilh IIainliff Lisa Casey.
Defendanl lherefore has sufficienl minimum conlacls vilh lhis slale lo
render lhe exercise of |urisdiclion by lhis Courl ermissibIe.
8. Venue is roer under 28 U.S.C. 1391(a-b) because a
subslanliaI arl of lhe evenls or omissions giving rise lo IIainliff's cIaims
occurred in lhis Dislricl.
COMMON FACTUAL ALLEGATION5
9. IGS is a direcl-lo-consumer DNA genelic lesl. Afler a
consumer urchases lhe IGS for $99.00 Ius aIicabIe laxes, Defendanl
maiIs lo lhe cuslomer a ackel incIuding a saIiva deosilory. The
cuslomer sils inlo lhe deosilory, lhereby roviding his or her DNA
samIe, and maiIs lhe ackel back lo Defendanl. Defendanl aIIegedIy
runs a DNA lesl for 240+ condilions and lrails, and maiIs a reorl lo lhe
cuslomer regarding lhe risks or famiIy hislory characlerislics such as
coronary hearl disease or rheumaloid arlhrilis. AddilionaIIy, lhe
cuslomer can Iog-in lo Defendanl's vebsile for more fealures.
A. Defendanl Adverlises and Markels IGS as a ReIiabIe HeaIlh Aid
10 To benefil Defendanl's saIes of IGS, Defendanl adverlises and
markels IGS in muIliIe media forms, incIuding inlernel, rinl, and
leIevision.
11. A smaII samIe of such adverlising and markeling under lhe
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HeaIlh lab of Defendanl's vebsile shovs reresenlalions regarding lhe
vaIue of lhe IGS lo a cuslomer's heaIlh:
Learn hundreds of lhings aboul your heaIlh. Using
your DNA informalion, 23andMe heIs you knov more
aboul your heaIlh so you can lake an aclive roIe in
managing il. Wilh reorls on over 240+ heaIlh
condilions and lrails, here are a fev of lhe lhings you'II
Iearn aboul you.
IIan for lhe fulure. Iind oul if your chiIdren are al risk
for inheriled condilions, so you can Ian for lhe heaIlh
of your famiIy.
Living veII slarls vilh knoving your DNA.
HeaIlh looIs - Documenl your famiIy heaIlh hislory,
lrack inheriled condilions, and share lhe knovIedge.
Drug resonse - Arm your doclor vilh informalion on
hov you mighl resond lo cerlain medicalions.
eIov are a fev examIes |diabeles, arlhrilis, coronary
hearl disease, breasl cancer, Iavix, Iaclose inloIerancej
vhere ve can heI you Iearn more. And vhen you
knov more, you can make beller IifeslyIe choices, Iook
oul for common condilions and lake sles lovard
miligaling serious diseases.
(hlls://vvv.23andme.com/heaIlh/ Accessed 11/26/13)
12. Defendanl markels and adverlises secific examIes of
diseases and condilions for vhich lhe IGS can aid lhe consumer. Iurlher,
Defendanl cIaims, Gel ersonaIized recommendalions. ased on your
DNA, ve'II rovide secific heaIlh recommendalions for you.
Defendanl offers informalion on a consumer's risk regarding such serious
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diseases as diabeles, coronary hearl disease, and breasl cancer.
(hlls://vvv.23andme.com/heaIlh/ Accessed 11/26/13)
13. Defendanl describes lhe IGS service furlher:
23andMe is a DNA anaIysis service roviding informalion
and looIs for individuaIs lo Iearn aboul and exIore lheir
DNA. We use lhe IIIumina HumanOmniIxress-24 formal
chi...Our chi consisls of a fuIIy cuslom aneI of robes
for deleclive singIe nucIeolide oIymorhisms (SNIs)
seIecled by our researchers. The seIeclion vas made lo
maximize lhe number of aclionabIe heaIlh and anceslry
fealures avaiIabIe lo cuslomers as veII as offer fIexibiIily for
fulure research.
14. Defendanls reresenlalions above are maleriaI lo reasonabIe
consumers.
. Defendanl Has Irovided No Suorl for Such Adverlisemenls
and Markeling lo IDA
15. Defendanl has reaed lhe rofil invoIved in markeling
seemingIy usefuI and reIiabIe IGS heaIlh services vhiIe simuIlaneousIy
faiIing lo rovide roof of lhe vaIidily of such markeling cIaims lo IDA in
vioIalion of lhe IDC Acl.
16. eginning in }uIy 2009, IDA vorked diIigenlIy vilh
Defendanl lo lry lo heI Defendanl comIy vilh reguIalory requiremenls
regarding safely and effecliveness and lo oblain markeling aulhorizalion
for lhe IGS device.
17. Then, IDA senl Defendanl a Warning Leller on November
22, 2013, ciling concerns over vhelher or nol lhese lesls vork. The IDA
ciled concern aboul lhe ubIic danger invoIved in faIse osilives and faIse
negalives for such serious heaIlh condilions urorledIy lesled by IGS.
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18. The IDA Warning Leller furlher indicaled, among olher
lhings, lhal, To dale, 23andMe has faiIed lo rovide adequale
informalion lo suorl a delerminalion lhal lhe IGS is subslanliaIIy
equivaIenl lo a IegaIIy markeled redicale for any of lhe uses for vhich
you are markeling il, no olher submission for lhe IGS device lhal you are
markeling has been rovided under seclion 510(k) of lhe |IDCj Acl, 21
U.S.C. 360(k).
19. Afler more lhan 14 face-lo-face meelings, hundreds of emaiI
messages, and dozens of vrillen communicalions belveen Defendanl and
IDA concerning lhe ubIic heaIlh consequences of inaccurale resuIls from
lhe IGS device, IDA has concIuded, ...even afler lhese many inleraclions
vilh 23andMe, ve sliII do nol have any assurance lhal lhe firm has
anaIylicaIIy or cIinicaIIy vaIidaled lhe IGS for ils inlended uses...
20. Afler IDA ciled secific examIes of olenliaI dangers lo
consumers, ils Ieller slales, The risk of serious in|ury or dealh is knovn
lo be high vhen alienls are eilher non-comIainl or nol roerIy dosed,
combined vilh lhe risk lhal a direcl-lo-consumer lesl resuIl may be used
by a alienl lo seIf-manage, serious concerns are raised if lesl resuIls are
nol adequaleIy underslood by alienls or if incorrecl lesl resuIls are
reorled.
21. Thus, Defendanl has markeled and soId IGS lo consumers for
years vilhoul any anaIylicaI or cIinicaI dala lo suorl lhe device's
efficacy. Desile Iacking dala lo suorl lheir cIaims, Defendanl made
maleriaI reresenlalions lo cuslomers.
C. Ior Years, Defendanl Has IaIseIy, UnfairIy, and MisIeadingIy
Adverlised and Markeled IGS for lhe SoIe enefil of Defendanl and lo lhe
Delrimenl of CIass Members
22. Wilhoul cIinicaI dala, Defendanl conlinues lo make heaIlh and
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efficacy cIaims aboul lhe IGS. Wilhoul such cIaims, consumers vouId
Iack incenlive lo urchase lhe roducl. Thus, Defendanl has benefilled,
and conlinues lo benefil, from ils misIeading and unfair adverlising and
markeling.
23. If lhe dala is unknovn or cannol be roduced by researchers,
lhe markeling cIaims are hoIIov and misIeading, crealed vilhoul backing
and vilh lhe aim of draving cuslomers lo urchase lhe roducl.
24. In a }anuary 9, 2013 Ieller, Defendanl slaled lo IDA lhal il vas
comIeling lhe addilionaI anaIylicaI and cIinicaI vaIidalions for lhe lesls
lhal have been submilled and Ianning exlensive IabeIing sludies lhal
viII lake severaI monlhs lo comIele. Thus, a fuII 5 years afler lhe
commencemenl of markeling lhe IGS lo consumers, Defendanl cannol
suorl ils markeling cIaims vilh scienlific vaIidalion. In lhe absence of
vaIidalion, 5 years of markeling cIaims vere unfair, decelive, and
misIeading lo lhe consumers vho lrusled Defendanl vilh olenliaIIy Iife-
aIlering heaIlh mallers.
25. Defendanl aIso ubIishes research based on lhe lesl resuIls
il comIies from individuaI consumers aying lo have lhe IGS lesl
adminislered, faIseIy cIaiming lhe resuIls rovide meaningfuI slalislicaI
dala and usefuI scienlific resuIls.
26. IIainliff aIIeges lhal, in commilling lhe vrongfuI acls aIIeged
herein, Defendanl, in concerl vilh ils subsidiaries, affiIiales, and/or olher
reIaled enlilies and lheir reseclive emIoyees, Ianned, arlicialed in
and furlhered a common scheme lo induce members of lhe ubIic lo
urchase lhe IGS by means of misIeading, decelive and unfair
reresenlalions, and lhal Defendanl arlicialed in lhe making of such
reresenlalions in lhal il disseminaled lhose misreresenlalions and/or
caused lhem lo be disseminaled.
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27. Defendanl's misreresenlalions and raclices in|ured and
caused IIainliff and CIass members lo Iose money or roerly in lhal lhey
urchased an exensive roducl vilh lhe execlalion lhal il vas
scienlificaIIy suorled.
PLAINTIFF'5 FACTUAL ALLEGATION5
28. IIainliff Lisa Casey urchased lhe roducl on Selember 19,
2013, having been exosed lo Defendanl's markeling via radio, rinl
media, and onIine.
29. IIainliff rovided her saIiva samIe, maiIed lhe IGS lo lhe
indicaled Iocalion, and lhen received an emaiI on Oclober 5, 2013 lhal her
samIe vas received and senl lo 23andMe's Iaboralory.
30. IIainliff received an emaiI on Oclober 27, 2013 slaling, Your
heaIlh resuIls as veII as seIecl anceslry fealures are ready lo reviev. DNA
ReIalives and Anceslry Comosilion reIy on addilionaI comulalion, and
you'II receive an emaiI vhen lhose are comIele.
31. IIainliff received an emaiI on November 19, 2013 slaling
lhal her comIele anceslry resuIls vere nov avaiIabIe.
CLA55 ACTION ALLEGATION5
32. IIainliff brings lhis cIass-aclion Iavsuil on behaIf of herseIf
and lhe roosed CIass members under RuIe 23(b)(3) of lhe IederaI RuIes
of CiviI Irocedure.
33. IIainliff seeks cerlificalion of lhe foIIoving CIass:
AII ersons in any of lhe 50 Uniled Slales and Dislricl of CoIumbia
vho urchased a 23andMe SaIiva CoIIeclion Kil and IersonaI
Genome Service vilhin lhe CIass Ieriod.
SecificaIIy excIuded from lhe CIass is lhe Defendanl and any
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enlilies in vhich Defendanl has a conlroIIing inleresl, Defendanl's agenls
and emIoyees, lhe |udge lo vhom lhis aclion is assigned, members of lhe
|udge's slaff, and members of lhe |udge's famiIy.
34. !"#$%&'()*+ IIainliff does nol knov lhe exacl number or
idenlilies of CIass members bul beIieves lhal lhe CIass comrises lens of
lhousands, if nol miIIions, of consumers nalionvide. As such, CIass
members are so numerous lhal |oinder of aII members is imraclicabIe.
35. -&##&./0()* /.1 2%$1&#(./.3$+ WeII-defined, common IegaI
or facluaI queslions affecl aII CIass members. These queslions
redominale over queslions lhal mighl affecl individuaI CIass members.
Common queslions incIude, bul are nol Iimiled lo, lhe foIIoving:
A. Whelher Defendanl's adverlising, in any medium, vas
unfair, decelive, unlrue, or misIeading,
. Whelher Defendanl's arbilralion cIause aIies lo CIass
members,
C. Whelher Defendanl soId lhe IGS vilh knovIedge of ils
ineffeclive, incomIele, unreIiabIe, or misIeading resuIls,
D. Whelher Defendanl's Terms of Service vere adequaleIy
discIosed lo CIass members,
I. Whelher Defendanl's Terms of Service conlain
unconscionabIe and/or iIIusory lerms,
I. Whelher Defendanl oblained aroriale and limeIy
remarkel arovaI from IDA lo markel lhe IGS,
G. Whelher Defendanl's IGS reorl conslilules an
unaulhorized raclice of medicine,
H. Whelher Defendanl's Terms of Service choice of CaIifornia
Iav aIies lo CIass members,
I. Whelher Defendanl's romises of heaIlh reorls, heaIlh
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risks and a firsl sle in revenlion, among olher romises, vere IikeIy
lo misIead ob|ecliveIy reasonabIe consumers,
}. Whelher CIass members are enlilIed lo reslilulion and olher
equilabIe reIief, and
K. Whelher CIass members are enlilIed lo damages.
36. 4*2(3/0()*+ IIainliff's cIaim is lyicaI of CIass members'
cIaims. IIainliff and CIass members suslained simiIar in|ury as a direcl
resuIl of urchasing lhe IGS as a resuIl of decelive adverlising and
vilhoul reIiabiIily of resuIls.
37. 51$6"/3*+ IIainliff viII fairIy and adequaleIy reresenl and
rolecl CIass members' inleresls. IIainliff has no inleresls anlagonislic lo
CIass members. IIainliff has relained counseI vilh exerience
roseculing consumer cIass-aclion and comIex Iiligalion cIaims.
38. 7"2$%(&%()*+ A cIass aclion is lhe suerior melhod for fairIy
and efficienlIy ad|udicaling lhis conlroversy for lhe foIIoving reasons:
A. CIass members' cIaims are reIaliveIy smaII comared lo
lhe exense and efforl required lo successfuIIy Iiligale
lheir cIaims individuaIIy. Therefore, il vouId be
imraclicabIe for CIass members lo seek individuaI
redress for Defendanl's iIIegaI conducl,
. Iven if CIass members couId afford lhe burden of
individuaI Iiligalion, lhe courl syslem vouId be
overvheImed by such a burden. IndividuaI Iiligalion
creales lhe olenliaI for inconsislenl resuIls and deIays
recovery/|udgmenl for lhe arlies invoIved. In conlrasl,
a cIass aclion resenls far fever managemenl difficuIlies
vhiIe roviding lhe benefil of singIe ad|udicalion,
economy of scaIe, and comrehensive suervision by a
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singIe courl, and
c. IIainliff anliciales no unusuaI difficuIlies in managing
a cIass aclion in lhis case.
FIR5T CAU5E OF ACTION
Vin!atinn nI Bus. & PrnI. Cndc 17200, ct scq.
("unIair" and "Iraudu!cnt" prnngs)
(y IIainliff and lhe Iroosed CIass Againsl Defendanl)
39. IIainliff re-aIIeges and incororales by reference lhe
aIIegalions sel forlh in lhis CIass Aclion ComIainl.
40. This cause of aclion is broughl on behaIf of IIainliff and
members of lhe generaI ubIic ursuanl lo lhe unfair and frauduIenl
rongs of CaI. us. & Irof. Code 17200 el seq., vhich rovide lhal
unfair comelilion shaII mean and incIude any unIavfuI, unfair or
decelive business acl or raclice and unfair, decelive, unlrue or
misIeading adverlising and any acl rohibiled by Chaler I (commencing
vilh Seclion 17500) as Iarl 3 of Division 7 of lhe usiness and Irofessions
Code.
41. As aIIeged above, IIainliff has slanding lo ursue lhis cIaim as
IIainliff has suffered in|ury in facl and has Iosl money or roerly as a
resuIl of Defendanl's aclions as sel forlh herein. SecificaIIy, rior lo lhe
fiIing of lhis aclion, IIainliff urchased lhe IGS lhal unfairIy, unIavfuIIy,
deceliveIy, and misIeadingIy reresenled il vouId aIIov buyers lo
|Ijearn hundreds of lhings aboul your heaIlh, |jIan for lhe fulure,
|fjind oul if your chiIdren are al risk for inheriled condilions, so you can
Ian for lhe heaIlh of your famiIy, |djocumenl your famiIy heaIlh
hislory, lrack inheriled condilions, and share lhe knovIedge, |ajrm
your doclor vilh informalion on hov you mighl resond lo cerlain
medicalions, and Iearn more aboul lhe buyer's suscelibiIily lo
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condilions Iike diabeles, arlhrilis, coronary hearl disease, breasl cancer,
Iavix, and Iaclose inloIerance. In facl, lhe IGS does none of lhose lhings
and lhe resuIls il rovides are nol suorled by any scienlific evidence.
42. In ils markeling and adverlising, Defendanl makes faIse and
misIeading slalemenls regarding lhe uses and benefils of lhe IGS.
43. The misreresenlalions by Defendanl are maleriaI facls and
conslilule an unfair and frauduIenl business raclice vilhin lhe meaning
of usiness & Irofessions Code 17200, el seq.
44. Defendanl's business raclices, as aIIeged herein, are unfair
and frauduIenl because: (1) lhe in|ury lo lhe consumer is subslanliaI, (2)
lhe in|ury is nol oulveighed by any counlervaiIing benefils lo consumers
or comelilion, and (3) consumers couId nol reasonabIy have avoided lhe
informalion because Defendanl inlenlionaIIy misIead lhe consuming
ubIic by means of lhe cIaims made vilh resecl lo lhe IGS as sel forlh
herein.
45. Defendanl's business raclices as aIIeged herein are frauduIenl
because lhey are IikeIy lo deceive cuslomers inlo beIieving lhal lhe
Iroducls have uses and benefils lhal lhey do nol have.
46. In addilion, Defendanl's use of various forms of adverlising
media lo adverlise, caII allenlion lo or give ubIicily lo lhe saIe of goods
or merchandise vhich are nol as reresenled in any manner conslilules
unfair comelilion, unfair, decelive, unlrue or misIeading adverlising,
and an unIavfuI business raclice vilhin lhe meaning of usiness &
Irofessions Code 17200, el seq.
47. Defendanl's vrongfuI business raclices consliluled, and
conslilule, a conlinuing course of conducl of unfair comelilion because
Defendanl is markeling and seIIing lhe IGS in a manner IikeIy lo deceive
lhe ubIic.
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48. IIainliff and lhe ulalive cIass members vere misIed inlo
urchasing lhe Iroducls by Defendanl's decelive conducl as aIIeged
above. IIainliff and olher ulalive cIass members vere misIed because lhe
misreresenlalions and omissions vere uniform and maleriaI.
49. Iursuanl lo usiness & Irofessions Code 17203, IIainliff and
lhe members of lhe CIass seek an order of lhis Courl en|oining Defendanl
from conlinuing lo engage, use, or emIoy ils unfair and frauduIenl
raclice of adverlising lhe saIe and use of lhe IGS roducls. Likevise,
IIainliff and lhe members of lhe CIass seek an order requiring Defendanl
lo cease cIaiming lhe IGS can aIIov consumers lo |Ijearn hundreds of
lhings aboul your heaIlh, |jIan for lhe fulure, |fjind oul if your
chiIdren are al risk for inheriled condilions, so you can Ian for lhe heaIlh
of your famiIy, |djocumenl your famiIy heaIlh hislory, lrack inheriled
condilions, and share lhe knovIedge, |ajrm your doclor vilh
informalion on hov you mighl resond lo cerlain medicalions, and Iearn
more aboul lhe buyer's suscelibiIily lo condilions Iike diabeles, arlhrilis,
coronary hearl disease, breasl cancer, Iavix, and Iaclose inloIerance.
IIainliff aIso requesls an order avarding IIainliff and lhe CIass reslilulion
of lhe money vrongfuIIy acquired by Defendanl by means of
resonsibiIily allached lo Defendanl's faIse and misIeading
reresenlalions.
50. IIainliff has suffered in|ury in facl and has Iosl money as a
resuIl of Defendanl's faIse and misIeading reresenlalions.
5ECOND CAU5E OF ACTION
Vin!atinn nI Bus. & PrnI. Cndc 17200, ct scq.
("un!awIu!" prnng)
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aIIegalions sel forlh in lhis CIass Aclion ComIainl.
52. This cause of aclion is broughl on behaIf of IIainliff and
members of lhe generaI ubIic ursuanl lo lhe unIavfuI rong of lhe
CaI. us. & Irof. Code 17200 el seq., vhich rovides lhal unfair
comelilion shaII mean and incIude any unIavfuI, unfair or decelive
business acl or raclice and unfair, decelive, unlrue or misIeading
adverlising and any acl rohibiled by Chaler I (commencing vilh
Seclion 17500) as Iarl 3 of Division 7 of lhe usiness and Irofessions
Code.
53. As aIIeged hereinabove, IIainliff has slanding lo ursue lhis
cIaim as IIainliff has suffered in|ury in facl and has Iosl money or
roerly as a resuIl of Defendanl's aclions as sel forlh herein. SecificaIIy,
rior lo lhe fiIing of lhis aclion, IIainliff urchased lhe IGS lhal unfairIy,
unIavfuIIy, deceliveIy, and misIeadingIy reresenled il vouId aIIov
buyers lo |Ijearn hundreds of lhings aboul your heaIlh, |jIan for lhe
fulure, |fjind oul if your chiIdren are al risk for inheriled condilions, so
you can Ian for lhe heaIlh of your famiIy, |djocumenl your famiIy
heaIlh hislory, lrack inheriled condilions, and share lhe knovIedge,
|ajrm your doclor vilh informalion on hov you mighl resond lo cerlain
54. In ils markeling and adverlising, Defendanl makes faIse and
misIeading slalemenls regarding lhe uses and benefils of lhe IGS
55. The misreresenlalions by Defendanl are maleriaI facls and
conslilule an unIavfuI business raclice.
56. Defendanl's business raclices, as aIIeged herein, are unIavfuI
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because: (1) lhey vioIale lhe IederaI Iood Drug and Cosmelic Acl (21
U.S.C. 301, el seq.) and lhe CaIifornia Sherman Lav (HeaIlh & Safely
Code 110100, el seq.), (2) lhey vioIale seclions 1770(a)(5), 1770(a)(7),
1770(a)(9) and 1770(a)(16) of lhe CLRA, CiviI Code 1750, el seq., and (3)
lhey vioIale usiness & Irofessions Code 17500.
57. IIainliff and olher ulalive cIass members vere misIed
because lhe misreresenlalions and omissions vere uniform and maleriaI.
58. Iursuanl lo usiness & Irofessions Code 17203, IIainliff and
lhe members of lhe CIass seek an order of lhis Courl en|oining Defendanl
from conlinuing lo engage, use, or emIoy ils unfair and frauduIenl
raclice of adverlising lhe saIe and use of lhe Iroducls. Likevise, IIainliff
and lhe members of lhe CIass seek an order requiring Defendanl lo cease
cIaiming lhe IGS can aIIov consumers lo |Ijearn hundreds of lhings
aboul your heaIlh, |jIan for lhe fulure, |fjind oul if your chiIdren are
al risk for inheriled condilions, so you can Ian for lhe heaIlh of your
famiIy, |djocumenl your famiIy heaIlh hislory, lrack inheriled
condilions, and share lhe knovIedge, |ajrm your doclor vilh
coronary hearl disease, breasl cancer, Iavix, and Iaclose inloIerance.
IIainliff aIso requesls an order avarding IIainliff and lhe CIass reslilulion
of lhe money vrongfuIIy acquired by Defendanl by means of
resonsibiIily allached lo Defendanl's faIse and misIeading
reresenlalions.
59. IIainliff has suffered in|ury in facl and has Iosl money or
roerly as a resuIl of Defendanl's faIse reresenlalions.
THIRD CAU5E OF ACTION
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Fa!sc and mis!cading advcrtising in vin!atinn nI
Bus. & prnI. Cndc 17500 ct scq.
aIIegalions sel forlh sura in lhis CIass Aclion ComIainl.
61. This cause of aclion is broughl ursuanl lo usiness &
Irofessions Code 17500, el seq.
62. usiness & Irofessions Code 17500 rovides lhal il is
unIavfuI for any erson or cororalion, or any emIoyee lhereof vilh
inlenl direclIy or indireclIy lo disose of reaI or ersonaI roerly... or lo
induce lhe ubIic lo enler inlo any obIigalion reIaling lherelo, lo make or
disseminale or cause lo be made or disseminaled before lhe ubIic in lhis
slale, or lo make or disseminale or cause lo be made or disseminaled from
lhis slale before lhe ubIic in any slale, in any nevsaer or olher
ubIicalion, or any adverlising device, or by ubIic oulcry or
rocIamalion, or in any olher manner or means vhalever, incIuding over
lhe Inlernel, any slalemenl, concerning lhal reaI or ersonaI roerly... or
concerning any circumslance or maller of facl connecled vilh lhe
roosed erformance or disosilion lhereof, vhich is unlrue or
misIeading, and vhich is knovn, or vhich by lhe exercise of reasonabIe
care shouId be knovn, lo be unlrue or misIeading...
63. In ils adverlising and markeling of lhe IGS, Defendanl makes
faIse and misIeading slalemenls lhal lhe IGS can aIIov consumers lo
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Iavix, and Iaclose inloIerance.
64. IIainliff urchased lhe IGS lhal unfairIy, unIavfuIIy,
deceliveIy, and misIeadingIy reresenled il can aIIov consumers lo
65. Defendanl engaged in lhe decelive conducl aIIeged above,
vhich incIuded decelive and unlrue reresenlalions regarding lhe IGS
roducl, made lo induce lhe ubIic lo urchase lhe roducl.
66. In ils markeling and adverlising, Defendanl makes knovingIy
faIse and misIeading slalemenls regarding lhe ingredienls, characlerislics,
uses and benefils of lhe Iroducls.
67. Defendanl is avare lhal lhe cIaims lhal il makes aboul lhe
Iroducls are faIse and misIeading.
68. In addilion, Defendanl's use of various forms of adverlising
media lo adverlise, caII allenlion lo or give ubIicily lo lhe saIe of goods,
devices, or merchandise vhich are nol as reresenled in any manner
conslilules unfair comelilion, unfair, decelive, unlrue or misIeading
adverlising, and an unIavfuI business raclice vilhin lhe meaning of
usiness & Irofessions Code 17500, el seq.
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69. There vere reasonabIy avaiIabIe aIlernalives lo furlher
Defendanl's Iegilimale business inleresls, olher lhan lhe conducl
described herein.
70. IIainliff and lhe ulalive cIass members vere misIed inlo
urchasing lhe Iroducls by Defendanl's decelive conducl as aIIeged
hereinabove.
71. IIainliff and olher ulalive cIass members vere misIed and lhe
misreresenlalions and omissions vere uniform and maleriaI.
72. Iursuanl lo usiness & Irofessions Code 17203 and 17535,
IIainliff and lhe members of lhe CIass seek an order of lhis Courl
en|oining Defendanl from conlinuing lo engage, use, or emIoy ils
raclice of adverlising lhe saIe and use of lhe Iroducl cIaiming il can
aIIov consumers lo |Ijearn hundreds of lhings aboul your heaIlh,
|jIan for lhe fulure, |fjind oul if your chiIdren are al risk for inheriled
condilions, so you can Ian for lhe heaIlh of your famiIy, |djocumenl
your famiIy heaIlh hislory, lrack inheriled condilions, and share lhe
knovIedge, |ajrm your doclor vilh informalion on hov you mighl
resond lo cerlain medicalions, and Iearn more aboul lhe buyer's
suscelibiIily lo condilions Iike diabeles, arlhrilis, coronary hearl disease,
breasl cancer, Iavix, and Iaclose inloIerance. IIainliff aIso requesls an
order avarding IIainliff and lhe CIass reslilulion of lhe money
vrongfuIIy acquired by Defendanl by means of resonsibiIily allached lo
Defendanl's faIse and misIeading reresenlalions.
73. IIainliff has suffered in|ury in facl and has Iosl money as a
resuIl of Defendanl's faIse reresenlalions.
FOURTH CAU5E OF ACTION
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Vin!atinns nI Ca!. Civ. Cndc 1750 ct scq.
aIIegalions sel forlh sura in lhis CIass Aclion ComIainl.
75. This cause of aclion is broughl ursuanl lo CaI. Civ. Code
1750 el seq., on behaIf of himseIf and lhe CIass.
76. IIainliff urchased lhe Iroducl lhal unfairIy, unIavfuIIy,
deceliveIy, and misIeadingIy reresenled il can aIIov consumers lo
77. IIainliff is an individuaI vho urchased lhe Iroducl for
ersonaI, famiIy or househoId uroses.
78. The urchase of lhe IGS by IIainliff and CIass members vere
and are lransaclions vilhin lhe meaning of CiviI Code 1761(e).
79. Defendanl's markeling, IabeIing, adverlising and saIes of
lhe IGS, lhal misIeadingIy cIaim IGS can aIIov consumers lo |Ijearn
hundreds of lhings aboul your heaIlh, |jIan for lhe fulure, |fjind oul
if your chiIdren are al risk for inheriled condilions, so you can Ian for lhe
heaIlh of your famiIy, |djocumenl your famiIy heaIlh hislory, lrack
inheriled condilions, and share lhe knovIedge, |ajrm your doclor vilh
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coronary hearl disease, breasl cancer, Iavix, and Iaclose inloIerance
vioIaled lhe CLRA in al Ieasl lhe foIIoving resecls as sel forlh in delaiI
above:
a. In vioIalion of CiviI Code 770(a)(5), Defendanl reresenled
lhal lhe IGS has characlerislics, ingredienls, uses, and benefils
vhich il does nol have,
b. In vioIalion of CiviI Code 1770(a)(7), Defendanl reresenled
lhal lhe IGS is of a arlicuIar slandard, quaIily, or grade,
vhich il is nol.
c. In vioIalion of CiviI Code 1770(a)(9), Defendanl adverlised
lhe IGS vilh an inlenl nol lo seII lhe IGS as adverlised, and,
d. In vioIalion of CiviI Code 1770(a)(16), Defendanl reresenled lhal
lhe sub|ecl of lhe saIe of lhe IGS has been suIied in
accordance vilh a revious reresenlalion vhen il has nol.
80. Defendanl's aclions as described herein vere done vilh
conscious disregard of IIainliff's righls, and Defendanl vas vanlon and
maIicious in ils conceaImenl of same.
81. Defendanl's vrongfuI business raclices consliluled, and
conslilule, a conlinuing course of conducl in vioIalion of lhe CLRA
because Defendanl is sliII reresenling lhal lhe IGS has characlerislics
and abiIilies vhich il does nol have, and has lhus in|ured IIainliff and lhe
CIass.
82. IIainliff and CIass members have suffered in|ury in facl and
have Iosl money or roerly as a resuIl of Defendanl's faIse
reresenlalions.
83. Iursuanl lo CiviI Code 1782, concurrenlIy vilh lhe
fiIing of lhis ComIainl, IIainliff viII nolify Defendanl in vriling by
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cerlified maiI of lhe aIIeged vioIalions of seclion 1770 and demand lhal lhe
same be correcled. If Defendanl faiIs lo reclify or agree lo reclify lhe
robIems associaled vilh lhe aclion delaiIed above vilhin 30 days of lhe
dale of vrillen nolice uruanl lo CiviI Code 1782, IIainliff viII amend
lhis ComIainl lo add cIaims for acluaI, unilive and slalulory damages,
as aroriale in accordance vilh CiviI Code 1782(a) & (d).
84. IIainliff seeks damages and is enlilIed lo equilabIe reIief in lhe
form of an order requiring Defendanl lo make fuII reslilulion lo
urchasers of lhe IGS of aII monies vrongfuIIy oblained as a resuIl of lhe
conducl described above.
85. IIainliff and CIass members seek an order of lhis Courl
en|oining Defendanl from conlinuing lo engage, use, or emIoy ils
raclice of adverlising lhe saIe and use of lhe IGS cIaiming il can aIIov
consumers lo |Ijearn hundreds of lhings aboul your heaIlh, |jIan for
lhe fulure, |fjind oul if your chiIdren are al risk for inheriled
condilions, so you can Ian for lhe heaIlh of your famiIy, |djocumenl
your famiIy heaIlh hislory, lrack inheriled condilions, and share lhe
knovIedge, |ajrm your doclor vilh informalion on hov you mighl
resond lo cerlain medicalions, and Iearn more aboul lhe buyer's
suscelibiIily lo condilions Iike diabeles, arlhrilis, coronary hearl disease,
breasl cancer, Iavix, and Iaclose inloIerance. IIainliff aIso requesls an
order avarding IIainliff and lhe CIass reslilulion of lhe money
vrongfuIIy acquired by Defendanl by means of resonsibiIily allached lo
Defendanl's faIse and misIeading reresenlalions.
FIFTH CAU5E OF ACTION
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Brcach nI warranty nI mcrchantabi!ity and Iitncss Inr a particu!ar
purpnsc
86. IIainliff reaIIeges and incororales by reference every
aIIegalion sel forlh in lhe receding aragrahs as lhough fuIIy sel forlh
herein.
87. Defendanls deveIoed, designed, lesled, manufaclured,
insecled, IabeIed, dislribuled, markeled, romoled, soId and olhervise
reIeased inlo lhe slream of commerce lhe IGS, in lhe course of same,
direclIy adverlised or markeled lhe IGS as described herein lo lhe IDA
and consumers, incIuding IIainliff.
88. Defendanls imIiedIy varranled lheir IGS device lo be of
merchanlabIe quaIily and fil for lhe common, ordinary, and inlended uses
for vhich lhe roducl vas soId.
89. Defendanls breached lheir imIied varranlies of lhe IGS
roducl soId lo IIainliff and CIass members because lhis roducl vas nol
fil for ils common, ordinary, and inlended use.
90. As a direcl, foreseeabIe and roximale resuIl of Defendanl's
breaches of imIied varranlies, Iainliff and CIass members suffered
in|ury and economic Iosses vhen IIainliff and CIass members urchased
IGS in reasonabIe reIiance uon lhe imIied varranlies.
5IXTH CAU5E OF ACTION
Un|ust Enrichmcnt
91. IIainliff reaIIeges and incororales by reference every
aIIegalion sel forlh in lhe receding aragrahs as lhough.
92. IIainliff and CIass members bring lhis cIaim in lhe aIlernalive
lo lheir reach of Warranly cIaims.
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93. Defendanl knovingIy relained a benefil in lhe form of
subslanliaI revenues and aymenls from IIainliff and CIass members for
IGS al lhe exense of IIainliff and CIass members from Defendanl's
conducl and misreresenlalions regarding lhe reIiabiIily and accuracy of
IGS.
94. IIainliff's and CIass members' delrimenl and Defendanl's
enrichmenl are lraceabIe lo, and resuIled direclIy and roximaleIy from,
lhe conducl chaIIenged in lhis ComIainl.
95. Il vouId be inequilabIe for Defendanl lo relain lhe benefils il
received and conlinues lo receive from IIainliff and CIass members
vilhoul a aymenl lo IIainliff and CIass members.
96. IIainliff and CIass members may have no adequale olher
remedy al Iav.
97. IIainliff and lhe CIass seek disgorgemenl of and/or a
conslruclive lrusl on aII of lhe inequilabIe aymenls and rofils
Defendanl relained from IIainliff and CIass members.
5EVENTH CAU5E OF ACTION
Dcccit by Cnncca!mcnt - Civi! Cndc 1709, 1710
98. IIainliff reeals and re-aIIeges lhe foregoing aragrahs,
incIusive, and incororales lhe same as if sel forlh herein al Ienglh.
99. Defendanl viIIfuIIy deceived Iainliff by conceaIing from lhe
Iainliff and lhe generaI ubIic lhe lrue facls concerning lhe IGS vhich
lhe defendanl vas obIigaled lo discIose. As sel forlh above, defendanl
knev in advance of IIainliff and lhe cIass's use of lhe IGS, of lhe Iack of
scienlific vaIidily associaled vilh lhe IGS
100. Defendanl conceaIed and faiIed lo discIose lhe foregoing facls
lo Iainliff and lhe generaI ubIic.
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101. As a resuIl of lhe deceil by conceaImenl by Defendanl,
Iainliff and lhe cIass suffered lhe in|uries and damages sel forlh above.
EIGHTH CAU5E OF ACTION
Ncg!igcnt Misrcprcscntatinn
102. IIainliff reeals and re-aIIeges lhe foregoing aragrahs,
incIusive, and incororales lhe same as if sel forlh herein al Ienglh.
103. Defendanl made faIse misreresenlalions, as reviousIy sel
forlh herein, lo Iainliff and lhe generaI ubIic, incIuding vilhoul
Iimilalion, lhe misreresenlalion lhal lhe IGS vas effeclive, scienlificaIIy
vaIid, and couId rovide consumers vilh meaningfuI heaIlh-reIaled
informalion.
104. Defendanl made lhe foregoing reresenlalions vilhoul
reasonabIe grounds for beIieving lhem lo be lrue. These reresenlalions
vere made direclIy by defendanl and ils aulhorized agenls on lhe IGS
ackaging and in ubIicalions and olher vrillen maleriaIs direcled lo lhe
ubIic, vilh lhe inlenlion of inducing reIiance and lhe urchase and use
of lhe Iroducls.
105. The foregoing reresenlalions by defendanl vas in facl faIse.
The IGS is nol effeclive, scienlificaIIy vaIid, and cannol rovide
consumers vilh meaningfuI heaIlh-reIaled informalion.
106. The foregoing reresenlalions by lhe defendanl vere made
vilh lhe inlenlion of inducing reIiance resuIling in lhe urchase and use
of lhe IGS.
107. In reIiance on lhe above misreresenlalions by defendanl,
Iainliff vas induced lo urchase and lo use lhe IGS. If Iainliff had
knovn of lhe lrue facls and lhe facls conceaIed by defendanl, Iainliff
vouId nol have urchased or used lhe IGS.
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108. IIainliff's reIiance on lhe misreresenlalions by defendanl vas
|uslified and reasonabIe in lhal such misreresenlalions vere made by
individuaIs and enlilies lhal heId lhemseIves oul as exerls in lhe fieId of
DNA lesling and vere in a osilion lo knov lhe lrue facls.
109. As a resuIl of lhe negIigenl misreresenlalions by defendanl,
Iainliff suffered lhe in|uries and damages sel forlh above.
WHIRIIORI, Iainliff rays for |udgmenl againsl lhe defendanls,
and each of lhem, as foIIovs:
1. Ior an order cerlifying lhal lhe aclion may be mainlained as a
cIass aclion, cerlifying IIainliff as reresenlalive of lhe CIass, and
designaling his allorneys CIass counseI,
2. Ior an avard of equilabIe reIief as foIIovs:(a) In|oining
Defendanl from making any cIaims for lhe Iroducls found lo vioIale lhe
UCL, IAL, or CLRA as sel forlh above, and (b) Requiring Defendanl lo
make fuII reslilulion of aII monies vrongfuIIy oblained as a resuIl of lhe
conducl described in lhis ComIainl,
3. Ior an avard of allorney's fees ursuanl lo, inler aIia, 1780(d)
of lhe CLRA and Code of CiviI Irocedure 1021.5.
4. Ior acluaI damages in an amounl lo be delermined al lriaI,
5. Ior acluaI, slalulory, and unilive damages as may be
rovided for by slalule under lhe Iourlh Cause of Aclion for vioIalions of
lhe CLRA if lhe demanded correclions do nol occur vilhin lhe lhirly (30)
day nolice eriod,
6. Cosls of lhis suil,
7. Ire- and osl-|udgmenl inleresl on any amounls avarded, and
8. Iroviding such furlher reIief as may be |usl and roer.
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
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IIainliff demands a |ury lriaI on aII issues so lriabIe.
DATID: November 27, 2013 ANKCORN LAW IIRM, IC
y: s/Mark Ankcorn
MARK ANKCORN
Allorneys for IIainliff
mark+cgIav.com
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