New Federal Law Prohibits Discrimination Based on Genetic Information

November 15, 2009

Washington - A federal law that prohibits discrimination based on genetic information will take effect next weekend, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said.

EEOC officials said the new law called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) will prohibit employers from making decision in hiring, termination, and promotion based on family medical histories and health risks of applicants and workers.

Under the Act, health insurers are also prohibited to ask policyholders about their family medical histories and to conduct testing to know their genetic information and health risks.

Last year, US President Barack Obama has signed GINA in an effort to give workers equal employment opportunity and to prevent wage and work-related discrimination.

According to a recent survey, more than 60 percent of workers said they do not want their employers to access their genetic information or to undergo a company-required genetic testing.

Meanwhile, the President will also introduce a federal law that will prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation that will cover companies that employ 15 or more workers. However, this proposed law will not cover the US military.