HB1313 is up for review and if passed would encourage genetic testing at workplaces.
In what many view as an affront to the American with Disabilities Act and the 2008 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), HB1313 would mandate workers to submit to genetic testing at work, or risk paying a fine.
“If enacted into law, however, H.R.1313 would effectively repeal the fundamental genetic and health privacy protections in GINA and the ADA,” explains Nancy J. Cox, the President of the The American Society of Human Genetics in a letter to U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
The American Society of Human Genetics vehemently opposes the passing of H.R. 1313 on the premise of how they feel their genetics research would be compromised and how employees would run the risk of being discriminated against.
“[The established] privacy provisions have been key for reassuring Americans that they can volunteer as genetic research participants or undergo genetic testing without concern that they would be vulnerable to genetic discrimination by their employer or issuer of health insurance,” further explains the letter.
If passed, the bill would allow employers to ask their employees to submit themselves to genetic testing. Should the employees refuse to do so they could possibly be subjected to a fee the equal of 30% of their current health insurance.
The bill is set to be reviewed this week.
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