Is the DMCA inhibiting security research?

This Slashdot story tells of researchers who are requesting an exemption from the DMCA. Specifically, they are requesting the ability to circumvent digital protections built into spyware, adware, and other forms of malware.

I’m of the opinion that this sort of research is vital to forwarding our knowledge of this area, and that companies who have something far from your best interest at heart are hiding behind the DMCA to obfuscate their attacks on your privacy and security, and make their infringements more difficult to prevent.

Thoughts?