Recruitment Proves Successful for Genetic Research Project

FREMONT, Calif., July 19 /PRNewswire/ --

DNA Sciences, Inc. (www.dna.com), today announced that more than 10,000 individuals have registered for the DNA Sciences Gene Trust Project(SM), a large-scale consumer-focused, Internet-based research initiative designed to discover the links between genetics and common diseases.

The DNA Sciences Gene Trust Project will help DNA Sciences researchers identify the genetic basis of common diseases, a crucial step toward developing new diagnostics and treatments. DNA Sciences' current research focus includes cardiac arrhythmias, breast cancer, colon cancer, Type 2 diabetes, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Thousands of individuals with these and other conditions have already provided the company with a blood sample for use in ongoing genetic research efforts. Analysis of DNA samples from Gene Trust volunteers with psoriasis and multiple sclerosis is currently underway.

"This milestone reflects America's widespread interest in being part of the genetics revolution and demonstrates that the Internet can be a key component in recruitment of genetic study participants," said Hugh Y. Rienhoff Jr., M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DNA Sciences, Inc. "Many of the Gene Trust participants have written to express excitement about helping us find the links between genetics and common diseases. We are encouraged to move our research forward with their support and enthusiasm for the project."

Individuals can register for the Gene Trust by completing a brief health questionnaire on the company's website at www.dna.com. If the person's health history matches a current DNA Sciences research project, they may be asked to volunteer a small blood sample. A qualified health professional collects the blood sample at the participant's convenience anywhere in the United States. The individual's personally identifying information is then separated from the blood sample, which becomes part of DNA Sciences ongoing research activities. In addition, the Western Institutional Review Board, an independent Institutional Review Board, oversees the Gene Trust Project research protocol.

Protecting Privacy

DNA Sciences, Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy of all participants in genetic research and The DNA Sciences Gene Trust Project. In order to safeguard personal information, DNA Sciences has developed and adopted several practices and policies that are designed to protect any and all personal health and family information. Information derived from the Gene Trust will only be shared in aggregate; personally identifying genetic and/or health information will never, under any circumstances, be sold to anyone outside DNA Sciences.

DNA Sciences Genetic Model

DNA Sciences research is based on the idea that the genetic variants involved in common diseases are of low-to-moderate penetrance, i.e., only some carriers will develop the disease. Many of these moderately-penetrant gene variants may be difficult to detect using classical methods of discovery. Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Ray White and his team at DNA Sciences have developed new methods specifically designed to identify these types of gene variants. These gene variants will help patients and their physicians manage health more effectively through disease risk-reduction, earlier diagnosis and more specific therapies. DNA Sciences recruits samples for its research through academic and corporate collaborations, as well as the Gene Trust Project.