Senate OKs Ban On Genetic Discrimination

The Senate voted Thursday to protect people who are reluctant to have genetic testing for breast cancer or heart disease because of fears the results might cost them their jobs or health insurance. Senators voted 98-0 for legislation prohibiting employers from using genetic information in hiring and firing decisions and barring insurers from using such information to deny coverage or raise premiums. Since the breakthrough of the mapping of the human genome some four years ago, "the American people have been vulnerable to this type of discrimination and ... the risk of discrimination has inhibited the full use of this vast, still-untapped reservoir of knowledge," said Sen. Olympia Snowe (news, bio, voting record), principal sponsor of the legislation. The White House supports the measure, saying in a statement that the potential misuse of genetic information "raises serious moral and legal issues."