Senate passes genetic nondiscrimination bill
Congress came one step closer to protecting cancer survivors from the misuse of genetic information when the Senate passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act today. The LAF supports this legislation as people living with cancer are at increased risk of experiencing discrimination from employers and insurers. This legislation would address these concerns by providing protections against the use of genetic information in health insurance coverage and employment decisions. Check out this Associated Press article on the bill.
Senate passes genetic nondiscrimination bill
By JIM ABRAMS –
WASHINGTON (AP) — People learning through genetic testing that they might be susceptible to devastating diseases wouldn’t also have to worry about losing their jobs or their health insurance under anti-discrimination legislation the Senate passed Thursday.
The 95-0 Senate vote sends the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act back to the House, which could approve it early next week. President Bush supports the legislation.
The bill, described by Sen. Edward Kennedy as “the first major new civil rights bill of the new century,” would bar health insurance companies from using genetic information to set premiums or determine enrollment eligibility. Similarly, employers could not use genetic information in hiring, firing or promotion decisions.
“For the first time we act to prevent discrimination before it has taken firm hold and that’s why this legislation is unique and groundbreaking,” said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who sponsored the Senate bill with Sens. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.
There are more than 1,100 genetic tests available today, she said, but these are “absolutely useless” if fear of discrimination discourages people from taking tests or participating in clinical trials.
Genetic testing could lead to early, lifesaving therapy for a wide range of diseases with hereditary links…
Posted in Staff
April 27th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
This is excellent news!
It is amazing how one would even conceive of the idea of using genetic testing to either deny health insurance or raise premiums. In such a business-minded world, however, I shouldn’t be surprised.
I’ve worked with many cancer patients, diabetics, and a great number of those with cardiovascular disease. I think it’s safe to say that, with the exception of cancer, a rather large number of Americans are suffering from diseases that are the result of lifestyle instead of genetics (childhood diabetes is on the rise due to poor lifestyle). Therefore, it isn’t only unethical to use genetic testing as a screening test for financial gain, but ignorant as well.
“For the first time we act to prevent discrimination before it has taken firm hold and that’s why this legislation is unique and groundbreaking,” said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine . . .
It’s nice to know that there are people in important positions who are willing to work to keep the use of scientific achievements ethical.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:34 am
being the wife of someone with HNPCC (genetic predisposition to colon cancer), I’m thrilled with this news!!!!!!