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US Senate Backs Genetic Privacy

Posted by simoniker on from the share-in-my-superior-structure dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to an article at NYTimes.com (free registration required), the US Senate has unanimously voted for the first Genetic Privacy Bill. Basically, this would make it illegal for employers and insurers to deny employment or benefits based on genetic analysis of your DNA. While it still needs to be passed by the House, it seems that we're not heading towards a Gattaca-esque society, after all. Hooray for us genetically inferior invalids!"

2 of 262 comments (clear)

  1. Don't be naive. by FreeLinux · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This bill would require that you prove that the insurance company denied you coverage because of your DNA rather than some other reason of their choosing. It doesn't deny them the ability to see or maintain records of your DNA which is what we really need.

    With this bill it would be no problem for an insurance company to deny you coverage based on your DNA but, tell you it is due to them having reached their quota for your age/gender/geographic region/past claims.

    The law needs to say that they cannot see your genome and they definitely cannot record it. There is no reason for anyone but your doctor and his lab to have it.

  2. Illegal? by silvaran · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Basically, this would make it illegal for employers and insurers to deny employment or benefits based on genetic analysis of your DNA.

    So, it was illegal in Gattaca too. Hawke narrated something along the lines of "A perfectly innocent drug test could quickly turn into a peek at your genetic code."

    Beware the loopholes.