Saturday Genetics Quiz #36: Genetic Discrimination
Yesterday, I posted about Dr. Bernstein’s finding that genetic discrimination may not the rampant scourge that we thought. To follow up on that, this week’s genetics quiz question is:
What’s your understanding of genetic discrimination?
Answer:
The two key issues to be considered in genetic discrimination concern
- Insurance
- Jobs
An overview of genetic discrimination from the National Human Genome Research Institute:
While most Americans are optimistic about the use of genetic information to improve health, many are concerned that genetic information may be used by insurers to deny, limit or cancel health insurance, and by employers to discriminate in the workplace. They are worried that some insurers may choose not to insure people who are healthy but genetically pre-disposed to future disease onset: such people incur more health-related costs for the insurance company than individuals who are not predisposed. Similarly, they fear that some employers might only employ or retain individuals who are not pre-disposed to future disease onset, since healthy individuals are more productive. Therefore, many lawmakers, scientists and health advocacy groups believe that there is a need for federal legislation to prevent genetic discrimination.
What other concerns do you have? As genetic technology becomes more commonplace, I might start worrying about a Gattaca-like situation in which potential mates ask for DNA testing. And as genes for psychological traits are found, would it be possible for schools to ask for DNA testing so as to track students more effectively? All possible yet impossible if we are knowledgeable enough to prevent it.
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Criminal Justice
Suppose we discover someday that certain genes are associated with an increased likelihood to commit crimes such as rape, assault, murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, or any number of others. I doubt we would start locking those people up preemptively, but genetic evidence might be used to persuade a judge or jury to impose a harsher sentance.
Brad: Yikes. That is definitely a possible scenario. The harsher sentence could include gene therapy as well, couldn’t it?
I’m so glad to see this quiz and yoir recent post on genetic discrimination. It’s great to hear thoughtful and practical voices about this issue. You might like to know that discrimination has been a concern voiced by many customers and non-customer inquiries at my company, DNA Direct.
Whether such fears are founded or not, my concern (and that of my colleagues) is that the perception of discrimination might keep people who could medically benefit from genetic testing away from testing.
DNA Direct offers direct-to-consumer, medical genetic testing. We provide anonymous testing, and results don’t go on your medical record unless you disclose them to your doctor. But we do encourage people to talk with their doctors, and we provide each tester with physician letters and clinical references to take to their doc. Our ultimate goal is to help people seek and receive the most appropriate medical care.
Our founder and CEO, Ryan Phelan recently talked about the question/concern of genetic discrimination with Dr. Moira Gunn on TechNation (NPR). The topic is about halfway through the interview, which you can play at: http://www.itconversations.com/shows/detail1039.html