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
Genetic Alliance
- The Genetic Alliance Web site provides a general overview of the issue of genetic discrimination, as well as resources related to current legislation and existing protections in health insurance and employment.
National Human Genome Research Institute
- The National Human Genome Research Institute has a variety of information about genetics, including information about genetic discrimination.
