New law bans genetic discrimination.

Moral of the story: Genetic counseling needs to change to reflect the new privacy patients have in term of their genetic composition.

Source: AMA Morning Rounds 11/23/09

New law bans genetic discrimination.

The Los Angeles Times (11/22, Markman) reported that the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which has been called "the most sweeping federal anti-discrimination law in nearly 20 years," went into effect over the weekend. The law prohibits employers "from hiring, firing or determining promotions based on genetic makeup," and also forbids health insurers from using genetics as a basis for denying coverage or setting insurance rates. The law comes despite a number of concerns from insurers and the National Federation of Independent Business, who expressed concerns that employers could be held liable for having genetic information in their files.

In an editorial, the New York Times (11/22, WK9) opined that the law "is an important step in protecting people who have inherited a predisposition to disease," and "removes a significant obstacle to genetic testing." They note the objections made by insurance companies and business groups, and say that the law was passed regardless "because lawmakers rightly saw that fairness and public policy arguments demanded a ban on discriminating against people for genetic traits they can do nothing about."