AUGUST 16, 2011

Most Significant Innovation in Paternity Testing In the Last Decade

DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) the largest provider of private DNA paternity and other DNA tests in the United States and around the world, announced today the company’s exclusive license in the US for the first non-invasive prenatal paternity test using SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) Microarray Technology, which requires only a simple blood draw from the mother and alleged father.

Dr. Michael Baird, one of the country’s foremost experts in DNA analysis and Chief Science Officer of DDC, will be the media spokesperson for the announcement. As Dr. Baird confirmed, the new test is 100 percent safe for the developing fetus, 99.9 percent accurate, and is performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). The test, called ‘The DDC® Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test,’ is available now worldwide and at www.DNACenter.com or by calling 1-800-CALL-DDC (1-800-225-5332), with results available in five business days.

According to Dr. Baird, the use of SNP Microarray Technology is “groundbreaking, innovative technology” using over 317,000 genetic markers and bioinformatics to determine paternity. “The DDC® Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test provides an alternative for people seeking paternity results prior to the baby’s birth,” Dr. Baird stated, “replacing paternity tests that utilize procedures such as amniocentesis, which are invasive and carry risks for the mother and the child. What makes this new test extraordinary is that it uses ‘cell free circulating’ fetal DNA found in the mother’s blood, which is stabilized with a proprietary reagent, combined with the analysis of 317,000 genetic markers. That means the DNA we analyze is only the DNA from the fetus, and not lingering DNA found in the mother’s system from previous pregnancies. With this technology, the DDC® Non-Invasive Prenatal Test is by far the most significant innovation in paternity testing in the last decade.”

Peter Vitulli, CEO of DDC and the executive responsible for securing the exclusive license from Gene Security Network (GSN), a privately held genetic company, affirmed, “The DDC® Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test will change the face of the prenatal DNA market. We know that mothers around the world will take comfort in the safety and convenience of the test, and potential fathers–who remarkably comprise nearly 50 percent of our customer base-will also find closure at an early stage of the pregnancy.”

Gene Security Network (GSN), was founded in 2004 by President and CEO Matthew Rabinowitz, Ph.D. GSN’s Dr. Rabinowitz added, “DDC leads the industry in providing accurate and reliable paternity testing. We are honored to partner exclusively with them for the U.S. consumer market. Our bioinformatics technology is used in a range of cutting-edge clinical diagnostic tests involving tiny quantities of DNA-as little as that from a single cell. This unique technology is now being applied to tiny traces of fetal DNA found in a pregnant mother’s blood to reach an accurate conclusion regarding paternity, without incurring any risk to the pregnancy.”

The validation of the technology for single cell genetic testing has been published in the journal Human Reproduction and it is used at over one hundred in-vitro fertilization centers and hospitals around the world. The technology has now been validated on cell free circulating DNA for paternity testing. That data has been submitted to AABB for certification and is also being prepared for submission to a peer reviewed journal.

About Dr. Baird:

Dr. Michael Baird, Chief Science Officer of DDC, is considered the country’s foremost expert in DNA and paternity testing, and was the first person to testify in a criminal DNA case in the U.S., and since 1987, has been involved in more than 300 court cases involving DNA and paternity. He is currently the Chair of the Relationship Testing Committee of the AABB responsible for developing standards for paternity testing. Dr. Baird has authored or coauthored over 50 peer reviewed scientific articles involving DNA identification analysis. He was an on-air consultant for NBC during the OJ Simpson trial and the DNA expert in the highly publicized paternity case of Dannielynn, the daughter of Anna Nicole Smith. Dr. Baird received his BA in Biology from Drew University in 1971, his MA in Biology from the State University of New York in 1973, and earned his PhD in Genetics from the University of Chicago in 1978.

About DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC):

As the largest provider of private DNA paternity and other DNA tests in the U.S. and worldwide for more than 16 years, DDC offers comprehensive DNA testing services for paternity and other family relationships, forensics and ancestry. DDC receives more than 800,000 consumer calls each year, and has performed over 1.5 Million DNA tests since the company was established. DDC Veterinary, the animal DNA testing division, provides innovative, quality DNA testing for companion and sport animals. DDC was the first to adopt robotics technology in its laboratory processes, ensuring highly stringent and efficient handling of DNA samples. DDC’s unique Dual Process™ ensures all professionally collected DNA samples are independently tested twice, producing legal results of unmatched quality and reliability. DDC is recognized through a number of accreditations, nationally and internationally, achieving perfect ratings in its past 16 inspections, including those performed by the AABB, formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). DDC is also accredited by ACLASS to meet the standards of ISO 17025:2005 and the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board International and follows the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) guidelines, which attests to DDC’s superior forensic testing service. For more information call 1-800-CALL-DDC (1-800-225-5332).

About DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC)

DNA Diagnostic Center is the world leader in paternity and relationship testing. We serve healthcare professionals, government agencies, and individuals around the world to determine family relationships with trusted accuracy.

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