Genetic discrimination

In a nationwide interview survey conducted in the fall of 2001 by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., respondents were asked whether genetic research will result in medical treatments and cures for diseases. Forty percent said that it will almost certainly happen, and 53% said that it will probably happen (Peter D. Hart, 2001). When asked whether many serious diseases will be eradicated as a result of genetic research, 20% said that it will almost certainly happen and 54% said that it will probably happen. The responses on genetic discrimination are particularly interesting. When asked whether health insurance companies will use genetic information to deny people coverage if they are predisposed to diseases, 32% said that it will... 

In a provocative article, Professor Sonia Suter raised the issue of whether genetic discrimination is largely a concern of the middle and upper classes. 

Many of the risks associated with genetic testing involve the emotional, social, or financial consequences of the test results. People may feel angry, depressed, anxious, or guilty about their results. In some cases, genetic testing creates tension within a family because the results can reveal information about other family members in addition to the person who is tested. The possibility of genetic discrimination in employment or insurance is also a concern. 

Genetic discrimination occurs when people are treated differently by their employer or insurance company because they have a gene mutation that causes or increases the risk of an inherited disorder. People who undergo genetic testing may be at risk for genetic discrimination. 

Privacy and fairness in the use of genetic information, including the potential for genetic discrimination in employment and insurance. 

Perkins, J. 2001. Genetic Discrimination and Taking Sides Over Privacy. ... 

Lapham, E.V., Kozma, C., Weiss, J. (1996) Genetic discrimination perspectives of consumers. Science 274, 621-624. 

Collins FS, Watson JD. Genetic discrimination time to act. Science 2003 302 745. 

Silvers A, Stein MA. Human rights and genetic discrimination protecting genomics promise for public health. J Law Med Ethics 2003 31 377-89. 

Genetic discrimination Profound social, ethical, and financial questions are raised by wide spread use of genetic testing and identification of persons at risk for diseases. Employers and insurance companies would like to have access to such information since it would be in their financial interest to know who is likely to become sick or disabled. 

Reflect and Apply This is a conjectural question—there is no single right answer—that is good for discussion over tea and crumpets. In what ways might it be possible to prevent genetic discrimination due to information made available by the Human Genome Project ... 

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