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May 17, 2008 1:12:22 AM CDT

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House Says No To Genetic Discrimination  

Posted May 1, 08 3:11 PM CDT in Science & Health,  US    Editor's Choice

(newser) – A long-suffering bill outlawing genetic discrimination by health insurers and in the workplace sailed through the House today, and President Bush has pledged to sign it into law, Reuters reports. The bill, forms of which have kicked around Washington for 13 years, forbids insurers from denying coverage based on genetic tests, and employers from using genetic information in job decisions.

The vote in the House was 414-1; last week, the Senate passed the measure 95-0. Though some business groups oppose the legislation, it has wide support among doctors and scientists. If people have no fear that testing might be used against them, one heart doc reasoned, “we believe more Americans will participate in genetic research and accept genetically directed strategies for treatment.”

Source Reuters

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House Says No To Genetic Discrimination
A slide used for testing DNA.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
House Says No To Genetic Discrimination
A robotic arm puts a drops of DNA-bearing solution on a slide.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
House Says No To Genetic Discrimination
The genetic analyzer machine inside Egypt's $5 million ancient DNA lab.   (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
House Says No To Genetic Discrimination
A strand of DNA.   (AP Photo)
House Says No To Genetic Discrimination
A bill passed today by the House, and expected to be signed by President Bush, prevents insurance companies and others from discriminating against people genetically disposed to certain diseases.   ((c) gabyigl)
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Congress  • House of Representatives  • legislation  • bipartisanship  • genetic screening  • genetic research  • genetic discrimination


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