DNAPrint Genomics
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| (Grey Market: DNAG | |
| Industry | Genomics, Forensic Science |
| Headquarters | Sarasota, Florida |
Key people | Richard Gabriel, President & CEO Hector J. Gomez, Chief Medical Officer Tony Frudakis, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Lou Charlton Co-Founder, Karen Surplus Chief Financial Officer |
| Products | Pharmacogenomics, Genomic profiling, Genotyping |
| Website | www.dnaprint.com |
DNAPrint Genomics was a genetics company with a wide range of products related to genetic profiling. They provided forensic and consumer products, based mostly on "Ancestry Informative Markers" in DNA samples that they claimed enabled them to correctly identify the ancestry of a human based on a sample of their DNA. The company ceased operations in February 2009.[1][2]
Consumer applications
DNAPrint Genomics' flagship product was "AncestryByDNA", a DNA test for its consumers that breaks down the percentage ancestry of a client, based on these Ancestry Informative Markers in their DNA. It was marketed as a tool for personal genealogical research, and for adoptees looking to learn more about their genealogy.[3]
Forensic applications
DNAPrint's most controversial offering was "DNAWitness", a product that uses the same Ancestry Informative Markers for a forensic purpose. By using the same ancestry tests on DNA evidence from crime scenes, DNAPrint Genomics claimed that this product could help narrow down suspects based on race.
In 2006, Scotland Yard and London's Metropolitan Police announced that they would be investigating the use of DNAWitness to narrow suspects in the search for a long-standing effort to capture a serial rapist known as the Minstead Rapist.[4]
DNAWitness was used in 2007 to help narrow down suspects in the investigation into the 2002 murder of Pam Kinamore. Though the police dragnet was initially looking for white suspects based on an early eyewitness, DNAPrint Genomics was later contracted to test the DNA sample, and concluded that the suspect was of "substantial African ancestry".[5]
References
- ^ The Genetic Genealogist | DNAPrint Genomics Ceases Operations
- ^ | GenomeWeb Daily News | GenomeWeb
- ^ Hamilton, Anita (2005-07-05). "Can DNA Reveal Your Roots?". Time. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
- ^ "DNAPrint Genomics Scientist Delivers Presentation to Detectives at New Scotland Yard". Market Wire. 2006-04-05. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
- ^ "The Inconvenient Science of Racial DNA Profiling". Wired Magazine. 5 October 2007. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2007.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)