DNAPrint Technology Debated in Nature Genetics Journal SARASOTA, Fla., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DNAPrint genomics (OTC:DNAP) (BULLETIN BOARD: DNAP) announced today that its technology is reviewed and debated in a series of letters to the editor in "Nature Genetics," one of the world's premier scientific journals. Dr. Mark Shriver of Penn State University, Dr. Tony Frudakis of DNAPrint genomics and Dr. Bruce Budowle, Senior Scientist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Quantico, Va., in a letter to the editor published in this week's edition took exception to an opinion piece previously published in the magazine. Ethicists Mildred K. Cho of the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics and Pamela Sankar of the University of Pennsylvania, Medical Ethics, took a position in their commentary that data from human "populations" cannot and should not be used in crime solving. In particular, they criticize the forensic use of data derived from human populations, the outdated method of "racial classification" or "binning," and the notion of inferring elements of physical appearance from ancestry -- claiming that the latter is tantamount to "stereotyping." Drs. Shriver, Frudakis and Budowle, in their response, published under the heading "Getting the Science and the Ethics Right in Forensic Genetics," pointed out that population is and has always been a central concept in biology, that advanced statistical methods enable the characteristics of populations to be clearly defined, that the current state-of-the-art method in measuring ancestry is admixture estimation, not binning or categorization, and that the inference of phenotype indirectly from a knowledge of ancestry admixture can be made through the use of systematic and rational approaches, such as DNAPrint's objective and empirical database-driven processes. The two ethicists, in an addendum to the Company's published response, stated, "We do not argue against the conduct of good science. But using DNA analysis for predictive purposes, to create a suspect pool (in contrast to its current use to rule in or rule out identity of an individual suspect), extends the technology into a news sphere with potentially serious ramifications." Dr. Frudakis, DNAPrint's Chief Scientific Officer, said after publication of their letter that debate on the issue is welcome. "We think it speaks volumes that our technology is so impactful and thought-provoking that people feel compelled to write commentary about it in 'Nature Genetics,'" he said. "It is quite common and healthy to have meaningful debates in such forums regarding new technology such as ours." DNAPrint's DNAWITNESS(TM) product for the law enforcement forensics market is a presumptive (investigative) genetic test, rather than confirmatory test such as human ID tests. The difference between the two is that while the former is used to help an investigator prioritize leads and make decisions, only the latter can be used to incriminate a suspect in a crime by matching a person with a crime scene sample. "DNA is considered authoritative, and, therefore, with good reason, many apply a double standard to DNA that is not applied to less objective and scientific sources," said Richard Gabriel, DNAPrint's Chief Executive Officer and President. "For example, can anyone imagine an investigator not asking a human eyewitness what a suspect looked like because the concept of population is complex and continuous? It is precisely because physical appearance and ancestry are complex and continuous that quantitative, objective and confidence-qualified science should be used to infer them." A central debate surrounding the application of genome-based technologies for forensic science is whether the relationships between individuals and populations can be determined objectively, without imposing imperfect prior assumptions. Many consider this to be an esoteric debate, of interest mainly to academic scholars. Both in house and through collaboration with experts such as Dr. Shriver of Penn State University's Department of Anthropology, DNAPrint has developed and implemented novel mathematical methods for reconstructing these relationships. Drs. Shriver and Frudakis are scheduled to release a textbook early in 2006 with Academic Press Publishers detailing the new science of "Molecular Photofitting." Dr. Shriver said, "To date, many forensics investigators can testify that when empirical database-driven methods are used to interpret genome-based conclusions, and when interpretation is made in a quantitative and confidence- qualified manner, precise and reliable estimates for certain phenotypes or elements of physical appearance can be made from a knowledge of genome- determined ancestry admixture." About DNAPrint genomics, Inc. DNAPrint genomics, Inc. uses proprietary human genome research methods to develop genomic-based services and products. The Company's ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM) is a consumer product for individuals interested in learning their family heritage. DNAWitness(TM) is a forensics market tool for analyzing DNA evidence recovered at a crime scene. DNAPrint is also developing products in the pharmacogenomic market, including OVANOME(TM), a genomic-based diagnostic tool that matches ovarian cancer patients with the most suitable form and dose of chemotherapy, and STATINOME(TM), a test for the cardiac drug market to determine whether patients will be good or poor responders to statins, which are effective in cholesterol reduction. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.dnaprint.com/ . Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward- looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint's products, dependence on collaborations and partners, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, and patent protection and litigation. DNAPrint genomics, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward- looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in DNAPrint's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. Company Contact: Richard Gabriel President and CEO 941-366-3400 -or- Ron Stabiner The Wall Street Group, Inc. 212-888-4848 DATASOURCE: DNAPrint genomics, Inc. CONTACT: Richard Gabriel, President and CEO, DNAPrint genomics, Inc., +1-941-366-3400, or Ron Stabiner, The Wall Street Group, Inc., +1-212-888-4848, for DNAPrint Web site: http://www.dnaprint.com/

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