Ban genetic discrimination: National standard is needed

The Senate has passed a bill against using genetic testing to discriminate, supported by the AMA and President Bush. Now the House must follow suit.

Editorial. March 21, 2005.

Knowledge is power, so the saying goes. But in the case of genetic testing, many people fear that the opposite is true.

As genetic testing moved from the stuff of science fiction to reality, it opened the promise of early diagnosis, prevention and even therapy to countless patients at risk of developing various diseases and conditions. But rather than feeling empowered, patients all too often feel vulnerable.

They worry that their genetic test results could be used against them by health insurers and employers. That they could be denied insurance or charged higher rates. That they could be fired from their jobs or never get hired in the first place, based on the contents of their DNA.

These patients often turn to their physicians for advice about whether it's safe to get a genetic test. But doctors are at a disadvantage, because the patchwork of state and federal laws designed to protect people from genetic discrimination is practically impossible to figure out.

A bipartisan bill that just passed unanimously in the Senate aims to solve the problem. It would set a national standard banning genetic discrimination in the workplace and in health insurance.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R, Maine), has the backing of President Bush, who pointed out that misuse of genetic information "raises serious moral and legal issues."

The American Medical Association, which has long-standing policy against genetic discrimination, also supports the legislation. The bill would enable and encourage patients to take advantage of genetic counseling, testing and new therapies without worrying that such information could be used against them, the AMA stated in a letter to senators.