Terms of Service

Seeding Labs Research Participation Terms

Effective Date: January 26, 2026

These Research Participation Terms ("Terms") apply to individuals who choose to participate in a Seeding Labs research study, including the Flourish Study.

1. Purpose and Relationship to Informed Consent
These Terms govern limited, procedural aspects of participation in a Seeding Labs research study, including use of the qualification or screening survey, specimen collection kits, and any research results or reports provided directly by Seeding Labs.
Participation in any Seeding Labs research study is governed primarily by the applicable Informed Consent Form and related study materials (collectively, the "Consent"). These Terms are incorporated by reference into the Consent and are accepted as part of agreeing to participate in the study. These Terms do not replace or modify the Consent. In the event of any conflict, the Consent controls.

2. Eligibility and Participation Integrity
By participating in a Seeding Labs research study, you agree that:

You and your child meet the eligibility criteria described in the Consent
You will not attempt to enroll more than once or on behalf of another individual or child
All information you provide to Seeding Labs, including personal, demographic, and health-related information, is truthful, accurate, complete, and up to date
You will promptly update information if it changes during the study period

Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information may result in administrative disqualification from the study.

3. Qualification and Screening Survey Use
As part of your study participant responsibilities, you will be asked to complete online surveys. You agree that:

The survey will be completed only by you, without automation or third-party assistance
You will not interfere with, manipulate, or attempt to reverse engineer the survey or its logic
You will not submit responses on behalf of another individual

The survey is used solely to assess eligibility and support study administration.

4. Specimen Collection Kit Use
If you are provided with a specimen collection kit (the "Kit"), you agree that:

The Kit is for research use only and may be used solely as described in the Consent and accompanying instructions
You will follow all instructions related to safe and effective sample collection, handling, storage, and shipment
You will not resell, transfer, reuse, or modify the Kit or its components
You will use the Kit without the direction, guidance, or assistance of a licensed medical professional, as described in the Consent

Failure to follow Kit instructions may result in unusable samples or exclusion from study analyses.

5. Use of Research Results and Reports
Some participants, including those in a limited intervention group, may receive research results or reports generated as part of the study ("Research Results"). You agree that:

Research Results are provided for personal, informational, and research-context purposes only
Research Results are not diagnostic, predictive, or medical advice
You will not alter, sell, license, or publicly distribute Research Results
You will not represent Research Results as clinical findings or use them to make medical, therapeutic, or health claims

Use of Research Results outside the context described in the Consent is not permitted.

6. Third-Party Service Providers
Seeding Labs may work with third-party service providers, such as laboratories, shipping carriers, and technology vendors, to support study operations. You agree to comply with any reasonable instructions related to these services, as described in the Consent or study communications.

7. Privacy and Data Handling
The collection, use, storage, and sharing of your information, samples, and research data are governed exclusively by:

The applicable Informed Consent, and
The Seeding Labs Privacy Policy

These documents describe how research data are handled and controlled in the event of any inconsistency with these Terms.

8. Administrative Disqualification or Removal
Seeding Labs may administratively discontinue or limit your participation in a study if you do not comply with these Terms or the Consent, or if continued participation is not feasible. Administrative removal does not affect any rights already described in the Consent and does not limit your ability to withdraw voluntarily, as outlined in the Consent.

9. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the state in which Seeding Labs is organized, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

10. Contact Information
Questions regarding study participation, specimen collection kits, or Research Results should be directed to the study contact listed in the Informed Consent or other official study communications.