DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[worktoplay]

frogger...First, the tests are intended as investigative tools, not evidentiary tools. Even at 70%, most investigators would consider that a valuable piece of information. Conviction would still require a CODIS type of match from suspect and crime scene DNA, thus, your scenario is not going to happen, but that does not in any way diminish the value of the test to law enforcement.

But more importantly, Dr. Frudakis said in the Popular Science article that within a year they could produce an accurate commmercial test for hair color. I would suggest that that statement is based on this text from the published application:

[0500] Although the present analysis does not explain 100% of the variability in human hair color, and indeed, one would not expect a two gene solution to explain all of the variability in human hair color because there are 4-5 genes involved in melanin synthesis for which mutations have been identified to impact human pigmentation, the results obtained for the OCA2 8 locus haplotype+TYR.sub.--3 genotype plot explained all but 5/42 of the individuals, and 22/24 haplotype pair classes. The results indicate that human hair color is largely explainable through consideration of the diploid OCA2 haplotype and TYR-3 genotype combination present in any Caucasian individual.

Looks to me like they believe it WILL be possible to offer a useful test.

Later,
W2P