Many individuals and families who see genetics providers have concerns about the privacy and confidentiality of their information and how genetic information might be used by third parties (insurance companies, employers, etc.). There is public concern about the possibility that a health insurance company or employer could use the results of a genetic test to discriminate against an individual. There are laws that exist to protect against genetic discrimination in the realms of health insurance and employment.

To learn more about this issue, please follow the links below:

Frequently Asked Questions about Genetic Discrimination

There are several websites that have additional information about genetic discrimination: 

• Coalition for Genetic Fairness: A Guide to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
  http://www.geneticfairness.org/ginaresource.html 
• GINA Resources from the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University
  http://www.dnapolicy.org/gina/ 
• National Human Genome Research Institute, Genetic Discrimination Fact Sheet
  http://www.genome.gov/10002328 
• National Conference of State Legislatures
  http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/genetics/ndishlth.htm 
• Genetic Alliance Resources (http://geneticalliance.org/):
  
  • http://www.ginahelp.org/ 
  • http://www.geneticalliance.org/sites/default/files/ksc_assets/publicpolicy/gina_information_sheet052710.pdf