CIA Finances Cosmetics Company That Collects DNA

Reports about an existing collaboration between cosmetic company Skincential Sciences and CIA's venture capital arm, In-Q-Tel, may come as a surprise to many.  

Skincential Sciences, which is essentially known for its product Clearista, had developed a patented technology which removes the skin's thin outer layer. Incidentally, the process reveals unique biomarkers that can be helpful during diagnostic tests and DNA collection.

The procedure, which is noninvasive and painless, supposedly requires only water, a type of detergent and a brushing technique against the skin. An unforeseen advantage of the technology, which results in glowing and youthful skin, is its usefulness in collection a person's biochemistry information. The development led to In-Q-Tel taking an interest in the company. 

"Our company is an outlier for In-Q-Tel," said Russ Lebovitz, chief executive of Skincential Sciences. "I can't tell you how everyone works with In-Q-Tel, but they are very interested in doing things that are pure science". Russ also believes that the technology could be used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to detect DNA from normal skin. He further suggested that the biomarker extraction technique may help law enforcement to conduct drug tests or for crime scene identification.

Founded in 1999 by George Tenet, the CIA Director at that time, In-Q-Tel focuses on identifying breakthrough technology that helps CIA and other intelligence agencies in their endeavors. The venture capital firm also provides funds to tech firms for the development of cutting-edge technology and solutions. In-Q-Tel also maintains a continuous interest in the creation of advanced biological technologies and genetic analysis to detect and diagnose, as well as research physiological intelligence.

Skincential Sciences, which was formed in 2010, had not started out as a beauty company originally. The byproduct of its research work had cosmetic connotations and was of value to the beauty industry, which lead to the relaunch and recapitalization of the company.