Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
Jeffrey W. Bulger
Abstract
Abstract Abstract: The requirement of genetic testing for insurance and employment in the 1970s violated the principles of autonomy (informed consent), beneficence (do good), nonmaleficence (do no harm), and justice (be fair). Congress responded by enacting the 1972 National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act and Title II of the 2008 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) to prevent discrimination in health insurance and employment, making it illegal for insurance companies to use genetic information for adjusting premiums, denying coverage, or for companies with 15 or more employees to use genetic information for hiring, firing, job placement, or promotion decisions. The implementation of GINA ensures that individuals are protected from discrimination based on their genetic information.