IBM Vows Not to Genetically Discriminate

An anonymous reader writes "Today the New York Times is reporting that IBM announced the addition of genetic makeup (Genetic Registration Required) to its non-discrimination policy. It appears that IBM is the first company worldwide to do this. With congress considering genetic privacy legislation, and with projects like the National Geographic Genographic Project, are we nearing the time when we all need to worry about our genetic privacy?"

Comments

genetic discrimination may bring legislation

[yagu]

Disclaimer: I am genetically an idiot.

Well, if it's really true and IBM is truly dedicated to a non-discriminatory genetic policy, this could be a good thing. A couple of questions:

• what makes a non-discriminatory policy (obviously hiring is one)? Do people of certain genetic "deficiencies" have the same health benefits? At the same cost?
• what happens if IBM becomes the only company that commits to this, and a stampede of genetic malware knocks at their door only? Do they modify their policies? (it could become VERY expensive for them should they remain the only corporation committed to this policy.)
• what and how are "defectives" (God! I hate this topic... very loaded) detected? Are they tested?, Is it mandatory?

Much good can, will (and has) come from genetic understanding and it's important to remember what it brings. But from the article, there is a cautionary example (from the article):

In a handful of publicly disclosed cases, genetic data has been used without workers' knowledge.

This is a topic long sneaking up on current consciousness and conscience and at some point needs to be stared down. I'm not a socialist, but if we start seeing a society free to not hire, not talk to, not help, etc., simply because of some percieved defect in their genetic makeup, I'd support some public policy not allowing this.