Senate passes bill barring genetic discrimination

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Senate passes bill barring genetic discrimination
http://www.komotv.com/news/national/18173724.html

Up to now, people with family histories of breast cancer, Alzheimer's or some other fearful disease have faced an awful dilemma: Genetic tests that might relieve their anxiety or steer them to preventive therapy might also cost them their jobs or health insurance.

Some of that extra concern about testing could end soon as Congress nears completion of a bill banning discrimination based on genetic information.

A 95-0 vote in the Senate Thursday sent the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act back to the House, which could approve it early next week. President Bush supports the legislation.

The bill, described by Sen. Edward Kennedy as "the first major new civil rights bill of the new century," would bar health insurance companies from using genetic information to set premiums or determine enrollment eligibility. Similarly, employers could not use the information in hiring, firing or promotion decisions.

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