A collection container and method for collecting a predetermined volume of a biological sample, and particularly a whole blood sample, includes at least one gene induction blocking agent in an amount effective to stabilize and inhibit gene induction. The gene induction blocking agent is able to stabilize nucleic acids in the biological sample at the point of collection to block ex vivo gene induction in the sample when stored at room temperature. The stabilizing agents include cationic compounds, detergents, particularly cationic detergents, chaotropic salts, ribonuclease inhibitors, chelating agents, organic solvents, organic reducing reagents, and mixtures thereof. The biological sample is collected directly from the animal and immediately mixed with the gene induction blocking agent without any intermediate processing or handling.
