There are many ways to solve product authentication and brand protection challenges. One of the most effective is based on the source of genetic information.

"Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information and DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells…"*

So what has this got to do with counterfeiters?

A lot. Many security solutions companies are providing DNA-based tracking technology to fight counterfeiting, piracy and product diversion.

For example, Applied DNA Science (APDN) is helping manufacturers guard against fraud by securing their packages and products with its SigNature DNA Program. This brand new technology uses SigNature DNA Markers that consist of botanical DNA segments custom-made by APDN to identify a particular type of individual products. Here's how: During the manufacturing process, APDN scrambles and encrypts a naturally occurring botanical DNA code segment or segments, and then encapsulates the resulting DNA segment using its DNA Encapsulation system. The sequence is then recorded and stored in a secure database. This SigNature DNA Marker can then be embedded into a broad variety of media – including artwork, textiles, currency, and even capsules. Because the portion of DNA in a SigNature DNA Marker is so minute, it can't be detected unless it is replicated or amplified billions of times over – an enormously expensive effort that ensures that SigNature DNA Markers will be virtually impossible to copy without APDN's proprietary systems.

SafeMedia, a leader in combating the increasing threats of contaminated P2P file sharing, has developed solutions that combine P2P Disaggregator technology (P2PD) and a Digital Internet Distribution Solution (DIDS) to prevent contaminated P2P networks from indiscriminately accessing users' computers. P2PD is DNA technology that discriminates between contaminated and non-contaminated P2P traffic whether encrypted or not and it operates at network speed almost invisibly. The technology eliminates illegal file sharing of copyrighted material, protecting the users from identity theft, spyware, malware, viruses and reducing the bandwidth cost to ISPs.

Rogue DNA's patent-pending RDNA technology combines hardware document scanners with software which interprets and encodes the information retrieved. The system uses optical/electronic technology and can confirm that any paper, card, or plastic security document is the original by identifying the unique three-dimensional composition of the actual piece of material at the nano scale. Because the material's structure at the particle level is a totally different pattern for every document, RDNA can provide absolute security in a manner that is non-invasive and inexpensive to implement. If a document is copied, the copy will be on a different piece of material, which can never contain the same pattern and composition at the structural level.

The International Chamber of Commerce's Counterfeiting Intelligence bureau estimates that trade in counterfeit goods accounts for approximately seven percent of world trade, costing manufacturers billions of dollars in lost sales – and potentially costing counterfeiting victims (in the case of pharmaceutical and personal care products) their health or life.

DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology is putting science to work in the service of business and consumers in the most positive way.

* Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA