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Human Rights and Genetic Discrimination: Protecting Genomics’ Promise for Public Health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Anita Silvers  and
Michael Ashley Stein
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The potential power of predictive genetic testing as a risk regulator is impressive. By identifying asymptomatic individuals who are at risk of becoming ill, predictive genetic testing may enable those individuals to take prophylactic measures. As new therapies become available, the usefulness of genetic testing undoubtedly will increase. Further, when a person's family medical history indicates a propensity towards a particular genetic disease, a negative test result may open up otherwise denied opportunities by showing that this person has not inherited suspect genes. In the latter type of case, a negative test result may reassure the individual that pursuing a particular course of action (such as planning a family or training for a job) is worthwhile, or may convince prospective employers that the individual will be a serviceable employee.

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Article
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 31 , Issue 3 , Fall 2003 , pp. 377 - 389
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Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2003

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References

Although we focus on employment-related aspects of these potential harms throughout this article, potential harm also exists in other areas such as immigration, workmen's compensation, and especially the provision of health insurance.Google Scholar
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