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                                  EXHIBIT 10.8

                                 January 5, 2000

Jon C. Thomas, President
Thomas Pierce & Company
3512 Maclay Blvd., South
Tallahassee, FL  32312

         RE:      EXCLUSIVE SALES & MARKETING DISTRIBUTORSHIP ARRANGEMENT

Dear Jon:

         The purpose of this letter is to confirm our interest in entering into
an agreement pursuant to which you or your nominee would become the exclusive
sales and marketing distributor of GeneLink products and services in the United
States and Canada to the at-need funeral industry and to set forth the principal
terms of the proposed relationship. The terms we propose are as follows:

         1.       You or your nominee will become the exclusive sales and
                  marketing distributor of GeneLink products and services in the
                  United States and Canada to the at-need funeral industry,
                  except for certain house accounts which GeneLink will retain.
                  You will be responsible for obtaining any approvals, if
                  necessary, required to sell GeneLink products and services in
                  Canada.

         2.       The initial term would be for one year and will automatically
                  renew from year-to-year thereafter so long as minimum sales
                  levels are met (as determined by both parties).

         3.       You will be required to maintain your own insurance, to have
                  dedicated employees who would work solely on selling GeneLink
                  products and services and would be required to have personnel
                  at all major funeral industry conventions. You will be
                  responsible for training employees (GeneLink will give such
                  assistance as agreed to between the parties), will be
                  responsible for visiting accounts on a regular basis and will
                  advertise to the at-need funeral industry in print and other
                  media.

         4.       Prior to entering into a formal agreement, Distributor would
                  be required to present to GeneLink a 36 month marketing plan
                  for the United States and Canada.

         4.       GeneLink, as manufacturer, will process the DNA in a timely
                  fashion, and cause Certificates to be issued guaranteeing
                  quantification and storage of DNA. GeneLink will send the
                  Certificates to Thomas Pierce & Company, or its nominee, for
                  distribution.

         5.       It would be a condition to entering into the relationship that
                  we negotiate and enter into a mutually acceptable and
                  definitive form of Distributorship Agreement at the earliest
                  practicable date. The definitive Agreement will contain
                  representations, warranties, and indemnities that are
                  customary for transactions of this nature. In the event the
                  parties fail to enter into the definitive Agreement on or
                  before February 1, 2000, the understandings contained in this
                  letter of intent shall terminate and be of no further force or
                  effect as of such date.

         6.       Each side agrees that it will negotiate in good faith and will
                  not, through February 1, 2000 directly or indirectly,
                  encourage any inquiries or accept any proposals by, or engage
                  in any discussions and negotiations with, or furnish any
                  business or financial information to, any another person, firm
                  or entity concerning a proposed distributor arrangement of the
                  type of products and services offered by GeneLink to the
                  at-need funeral industry.

         7.       The parties agree to keep this letter of intent and the
                  proposed transaction and agreements (including drafts of such
                  agreements) strictly secret and confidential until such time
                  as they mutually agree that a public announcement shall be
                  made. In all events, the parties shall consult with each other
                  and use all reasonable efforts to agree on the content and
                  manner of any disclosure permitted under this section. The
                  provisions of this Section shall terminate upon termination of
                  this letter of intent.

         8.       This letter of intent constitutes the full and complete
                  agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
                  matter contained in this letter of intent and there are no
                  further or other agreements or understandings, written or
                  oral, in effect between the parties relating to such subject
                  matter except as expressly referred to herein.

         If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign and return a
copy of this letter to us.
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         Jon, I look forward to a successful business relationship with you and
your staff.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             GeneLink, Inc.


                                                  /s/ John R. DePhillipo
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                  John R. DePhillipo, President
Read, Agreed and Accepted:

THOMAS PIERCE & COMPANY

By:      /s/ Jon C. Thomas
   -------------------------------
         Jon C. Thomas, President

Date:  01-06-2000