Federal legislation aimed at preventing employment discrimination based on genetic information went into effect Monday. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act will prohibit employers and insurers from using genetic information when making decisions regarding an employee or potential employee. The law applies to companies with 15 or more employees, as well as labor unions and other organizations and programs.
Support for such legislation gained momentum in recent years as genetic research led to discoveries that have allowed people to determine their odds of developing certain conditions, some of which can be very expensive to treat. This, in turn, led to fear that disclosure of this information might lead to abuse on the part of insurers and employers. Patient and consumer advocates expressed concern, for example, that hiring decisions could be made based on a potential candidate’s genetic predisposition to developing diseases such as breast cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Thus far, few employment discrimination or wrongful termination lawsuits relating to genetic information have been filed. More information on employment law can be obtained by visiting Your Legal Guide’s section devoted to this area of law, including articles on topics such as workplace harassment and workplace safety.