Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 00:55:41 EDT
From: REDSKI9136(a)aol.com
Subject: PRO and CONS
President to bar genetic discrimination
February 8, 2000
Web posted at: 7:50 a.m. EST (1250 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton is expected to sign an executive order
on Tuesday prohibiting the federal government from using genetic test results
in any decision to hire, fire or promote its employees. The order, to take
effect immediately, is a response to fears that advances in medical research
could be abused by employers.
MESSAGE BOARD
Politics of health care
It covers nearly 2 million civilian federal employees, but does not apply to
the private sector.
The president is due to announce his decision during a speech at the American
Association for the Advancement of Science.
Private sector, too?
Clinton's order echoes a bill pending in Congress sponsored by Sens. Tom
Daschle, D-South Dakota, and Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts.
The measure would prohibit private sector employers from refusing to hire
people at risk for health problems and insurers from refusing to sell them
coverage.
In addition to the order, Clinton was expected to voice his support for the
Daschle-Kennedy legislation, which would extend assurances against abuse of
genetic information to the general public -- a step that would require
congressional action.
A federal measure enacted in 1996 -- the Kennedy-Kassebaum Law -- already
outlaws genetic discrimination in group health insurance plans.
Clinton wary of abuses
Advances in genetic testing soon will allow doctors to predict the medical
futures of their patients. That has raised concerns that such information
could be used against those who are likely to suffer from cancer, diabetes,
heart disease or other ailments.
Clinton has followed the Human Genome Project, which will map all of the
genes in the human body. For years he has been speaking out on the potential
abuse of genetic information.
In his 1998 State of the Union speech, Clinton declared that "we must see
that science serves humanity, not the other way around."
"We must prevent the misuse of genetic tests to discriminate against any
American," he said.
The order Clinton was signing would restrict federal agencies' abilities to
collect or use genetic information, including family medical histories.
Exceptions to such data collection would be allowed in cases in which workers
give written consent as part of a health care program monitoring their
medical conditions.
Another exception would be granted for gathering information to study
workplace safety.
White House Correspondent Chris Black and The Associated Press contributed to
this report.
Bright Star