Senate Passes the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act today

Great news for all of us in America. Now that the human genome project has successfully mapped our DNA, and there more than 1000 genetic tests available today, there was the concern for genetic discrimination. Jobs could be awarded based on genetic health. Insurance could be denied based on genetic profile.

But today, 95-0, the Senate passed the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (GINA).

From the Press Release:

The bill, described by Sen. Edward Kennedy as "the first major new civil rights bill of the new century," would bar health insurance companies from using genetic information to set premiums or determine enrollment eligibility. Similarly, employers could not use genetic information in hiring, firing or promotion decisions.

"For the first time we act to prevent discrimination before it has taken firm hold and that's why this legislation is unique and groundbreaking," said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who sponsored the Senate bill with Sens. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.