Potential for Discrimination
While DNA testing may help people identify potential medical issues early, there is concern that he/she could be discriminated by employers, schools, and insurance companies. To address concerns around discrimination President Bush signed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in 2008.
This act forbids U.S. insurance companies and employers from making decisions based on information resulting from genetic tests. “Because of this legislation, Americans will be free to undergo genetic testing for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s without fearing for their job or health insurance,” said House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif). |
"What happens with the information from the Human Genome Project?... And it turned out that they were screening for certain genetic predispositions. One of them was for carpal tunnel syndrome and they were actually laying off people because they had a propensity for carpal tunnel syndrome…. You don't just refuse to hire the person but maybe you alter the work environment or maybe the person wears a wrist guard as some people do…. I mean these are very serious cases where insurance companies are using the bottom line to motivate their thinking on this.”
Professor Katherine Shamey Santa Monica College |