Genetic Discrimination in the IT Workplace

MisterTut writes "In what could be a troubling trend, one employer- the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway -was found to have secretly run unproven genetic tests on workers suffering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The company was trying to prove that they were not culpable for cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from which the employees were suffering. The ethical considerations of such testing, covert and illicit or not, are profound for those of us working in the IT industry."

Comments

dangerous

[chez69]

when they find the slashdot reading gene, we are all screwed

Re:dangerous

[JamesD_UK]

slashdot reading gene

It's okay. I've read that this gene is never passed on to a subsequent generation.

Well duh

[Anonymous Coward]

What good is science if you don't use it for evil? There are too many goody-two-shoes scientists out there. Come on, more evil science please.

I'm not worried

[sysadmn]

Carpal Tunnel, hell! What happens when they start testing for the genetic markers indicating a predisposition to spending all day browsing Slashdot? Activity on Slashdot, Fark, and other forums will fall initially fall, then skyrocket after the Great Purge!

Gattaca

[mnemonic_]

Thanks for mentioning that movie. You are the first to suggest such a connection.

Re:Life imitating art?

[winkydink]

Because you are heavily influenced by Hollywood, science fiction & pop culture and incapable of independent, creative thought?

Re:Reminds me of

[YankeeInExile]

Perhaps that day will arrive, shortly after we develop some manner of genetic test to prevent Slashdotters from posting who are incapable of spelling the words carpal or tunnel.

It is spelt Gattaca!

[Rectal Prolapse]

Woohoo, my first spelling Nazi post!

Anyways, I can see the above scenarios happening quite easily.

End discrimination now!

[Locke2005]

While we're at it, I hear that strip clubs discriminate against disabled dancers when hiring, and supermodels discriminate against geeks when selecting sex partners! This blantant discrimination must end! I say we demand legislation now to mandate quotas for supermodels dating slashdot readers!