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Press Releases

Bush Signs Bill Banning Genetic Discrimination

By Scott Bittle on May 22, 2008

Genetic testing cannot be used to deny people jobs or health insurance under a bill signed into law by President Bush yesterday. DNA testing can show whether people are at risk for developing certain diseases, but researchers worry that employers would refuse to hire such people, or that insurance companies would either refuse to cover them or jack up their premiums. People won't take the tests if they're worried about losing their insurance, doctors argue.

Surveys show most Americans say they would take a genetic test if their doctor recommended it. But half of Americans say they're very worried genetic test information would be used to deny coverage.