Genetic Based Discrimination

Discrimination has existed almost as long as humans. We have always found ways to discriminate against minorities, and the reasons are ever changing. Today a new type of discrimination is starting to occur. This time it is based off of genes. While the development of gene testing technology has allowed people to design effective treatments, and make vital reproductive decisions, it has also opened up the new possibility of discrimination based off of genes. The US government has already passed legislation banning genetic discrimination by insurance companies, and employers. Drs Yvonne Bombared and Michael Hayden have just started to try to figure out the exact scale of Genetic discrimination. They surveyed 223 Canadians who were at risk of Huntington’s disease. 1 in 3 said they experienced discrimination mainly from insurance companies, and 1 in 5 experienced discrimination in social settings. Interestingly, the major cause of discrimination was family history, not genetic test results. Many “ultimately asymptomatic individuals at genetic risk are at similar risk for discrimination because their label of having a family history of disease”.

                It is good that genetic discrimination is being caught in its early stages. I believe that the technology is very important, but should be used in a responsible manner. I found it particularly interesting that most discrimination is based on family history, not actual genetic tests. This is because family history can be very general, and when discriminating, humans tend to generalize.