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Applied DNA Sciences Validates Use of SigNature DNA in Laminates Used in Government Identification Cards and Other Secure Documents
| Source: Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - June 9, 2009) - Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB : APDN ), a
provider of DNA-based security solutions, announced today that in
collaboration with a world leader in security laminated materials, it has
validated its proprietary SigNature® DNA into laminates typically used in
travel documents, credit cards, drivers licenses and other government
issued identification cards.
Protecting secure documents against alteration and counterfeiting has
become a priority of governments around the world. The REAL ID Act is U.S.
Federal law that imposes certain security, authentication, and issuance
procedure standards for the state driver's licenses and state ID cards, for
them to be accepted by the Federal government for "official purposes."
According to the Real ID Act, DNA is accepted as one of the biometric
identifiers along with fingerprints and retinal scans. For example,
SigNature DNA can be incorporated as part of a security ink that is
embedded into the laminate of a driver's license.
Incorporating SigNature DNA into the existing inks and printing processes
safeguards the driver's license at a forensic level and ensures that the
license can not be copied or re-engineered. DNA protection also offers each
State their own unique DNA identifier that can be authenticated even 10
years from the date the license was issued. The strength of DNA
authentication has already been demonstrated by law enforcement in the
United States and is accepted internationally as forensic evidence should a
criminal or civil case be prosecuted.
Raising the security systems standards of state-issued identification is an
important step toward enhancing national security. Because a driver's
license serves so many purposes (access to federal buildings, nuclear power
plants, boarding aircraft, etc.), terrorists actively seek fraudulent
state-issued identification. The REAL ID rules will make it more difficult
for them, while making it easier for law enforcement to detect falsified
documents. The Department of Homeland Security has provided States with an
extension to comply by December 31, 2009. In addition, States that meet
certain benchmarks for the security of their credentials and licensing
processes will automatically be granted a second extension until May 11,
2011 to complete full implementation of REAL ID.
In addition to driver's licenses, DNA in laminated materials can be used to
protect credit cards, passports and immigration visas. APDN continues to
work with Printcolor Screen AG, a Swiss-based security ink company, to
offer its SigNature DNA markers in high security, high value items that
require a botanical forensic marker. As recently reported, SigNature DNA
offers a scalable and affordable solution that can be incorporated into
intaglio inks, cyanoacrylates, thermal transfer ribbons, adhesives and
inkjet inks.
About APDN
APDN sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and
intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a
botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that
essentially cannot be copied. APDN also provides BioMaterial GenoTyping™
by detecting genomic DNA in natural materials to authenticate finished
products. Both technologies protect brands and products in a wide range of
industries and provide a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to
prosecute perpetrators.
The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature and are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe APDN's future
plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on
assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which
are beyond the control of APDN. Actual results could differ materially from
those projected due to our short operating history, limited financial
resources, limited market acceptance, market competition and various other
factors detailed from time to time in APDN's SEC reports and filings,
including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 16, 2008 and
our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. APDN undertakes no
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new
information, events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.