Thank you to Alyssa Friedland  from Genetic Alliance for this press release – a momentous occasion in the field of genetics.  I have decided to issue the press release in its entire form.  You may think me biased but the arguments put forward in the statement are cogent, well thought out and they echo my own opinions.
What we need to do now is ensure that we take a responsible approach to this legislation and continue to ensure that the field of genetics is introduced into mainstream medicine ethically and to the highest clinical standards.
Elaine Warburton   www.geneticsandhealth.com
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President Bush Signs Landmark Genetic Nondiscrimination …read more

Continuing G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the whole issue of privacy, insurance, GINA and ethics…..
One of the main consumer concerns is that of privacy of information, both in terms that a genetic test has been undertaken but also that the results of the test are kept private and out of the public domain.  At the time of writing, the controversial GINA (Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act) is being passed by the US Senate which will enable genetic testing information to be kept private and not be used to discriminate against an individual, particularly by the insurance industry.  …read more

Following my article on GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act), the influential doctors’ group, the American College of Physicians (ACP), wants the GINA to become law.
The ACP does not directly address the concerns of employers or health insurance companies, but sides with the GINA supporters on individual rights to insurance protections. The ACP agrees that insurance providers should not be able to use an individual’s genetic information to deny or limit health coverage or establish eligibility, enrolment, or to set requirements. In addition, ACP said insurers should be prohibited from setting different premium rates based on an individual’s genetic information.
ACP also said it …read more