[VISIBLE GENETICS INC. LOGO]


                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACTS:
Richard Daly (416) 813-3281           Bruno Maruzzo  (416) 813-3271
CEO, Visible Genetics Inc.            Investor Relations, Visible Genetics Inc.


              REGULATORY APPROVAL GRANTED IN ARGENTINA FOR VISIBLE
                     GENETICS' TRUGENE HIV-1 GENOTYPING KIT


TORONTO, CANADA (FEBRUARY 1, 2001) - VISIBLE GENETICS INC. (VGI, NASDAQ: VGIN)
reported today that it has been granted regulatory approval in Argentina for its
TRUGENE(TM) HIV-1 Genotyping Kit and OpenGene(TM) automated DNA sequencing
system by the Administacion Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos Y Tecnologia.
Visible Genetics' OpenGene(TM) automated DNA sequencing system and TRUGENE HIV-1
Genotyping Kit is the first complete sequence based DNA system to be approved in
the Argentine market for routine clinical diagnostic use.

The TRUGENE(TM) HIV-1 Genotyping Kit and related products are being distributed
by Werfen Medical S.A. in Argentina. Werfen is A major distributor of medical
diagnostic products in Argentina and one of the leading suppliers of HIV viral
load assays in that country. Werfen will provide complete training and support
for all of its sub-distributors and customers for VGI's products in Argentina.

"We are very pleased to have received approval to use VGI's product for routine
clinical diagnostic use in Argentina. We believe that the TRUGENE HIV-1
Genotyping Kit is the best technology available in the market," stated Santiago
Antognolli, CEO of Werfen Medical. "For the past 18 months we have worked
closely with VGI personnel to prepare the market for the introduction of the VGI
product, by organizing conferences and meetings in Argentina to inform and
educate both physicians and patients of the benefits of HIV genotyping in
patient management."

Werfen currently has the three most important HIV centers in Argentina as
customers of the VGI system: the National Reference Center of AIDS, under the
direction of Dr. Horacio Salomon and Dr. Mercedes Weissenbacher; the Fundacion
Huesped, under the direction of Dr. Pedro Cahn; and the





Public Health Center of Rosario, under the direction of Professor Oscar Fay.
Currently there are approximately 15,000 patients receiving HIV drug treatment
in Argentina with the Ministry of Health paying for all diagnostic tests and
treatments.

"This approval further confirms the quality and usefulness of Visible Genetics'
TRUGENE HIV-1 Genotyping Kit," stated Richard T. Daly, CEO of Visible Genetics.
"We see Latin America as a significant market opportunity for all of Visible
Genetics' current and future products. The approval in Argentina is the first
step and we are pleased to be working with Werfen in developing the Argentine
market."

This is the second regulatory approval received by VGI for its TRUGENE HIV-1
Genotyping Kit in the past two months. On December 20, 2000, the Company
announced that it had received approval to market the product in France. As
well, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing VGI's
submission for the TRUGENE HIV-1 Genotyping Kit and OpenGene(TM) system which
was initially filed with the FDA in September 2000.

Visible Genetics Inc. is a leader in the emerging field of pharmacogenomics,
which uses genetic information in the identification and analysis of genes to
improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. VGI manufactures and markets
high performance automated DNA sequencing systems and complete kits for the
analysis of genes linked to disease. The Company's OpenGene(TM) system employs
patented CLIP(TM) technology - a single-step, bi-directional sequencing method
that significantly reduces the time and cost involved in identifying clinically
relevant genetic information.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
other factors, which may cause the Company's results to differ materially from
expectations. These include risks relating to the ability to obtain regulatory
approval, market acceptance of genotyping and the Company's products, delays in,
or the refusal of, insurance companies and other third-party payors to reimburse
us for our products, delays in product development, delays in making the new
Atlanta manufacturing facility operational, and other risks as detailed from
time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including the most recent Annual
Report on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
hereof. VGI disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.

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