Genetic Discrimination Bill Passes House

GINA, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimintation Act, has now passed back through the House of Representatives and is headed to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign it into law, according to Associated Press writer, Jesse Holland in “House Approves anti-genetic discrimination bill” (AP, May 1, 2008).  

By a vote of 414-1 (Ron Paul (R), the only nay vote in the entire Congress), the House joined the Senate’s 95-0 vote of this Bill.  Genetic testing can discover whether a person is more likely to develop certain diseases or conditions, which may lead to earlier treatment before the onset of the disease.   Generally, every person has at least six genes which can potentially lead to diseases or conditions. id  Early detection and treatment is believed to be the best possible remedy, short of a cure.  It is believed that the passage of this Bill into Law will allow many persons to now undergo genetic testing who had not done so before due to  fear of losing their insurance or jobs. id  Scientists also appear to believe that more testing will also lead to more research and better information, which eventually could lead to a less expensive and more complete health care for all. id

The entire article may be found at: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9PKo1Dr67gVSZWb-B4tOfMvmgDwD90CVGBO0