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US Senate blocks genetic discrimination
The 95-0 Senate vote sends the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act back to the House of Representatives, which could approve it early next week.
- AP
- Published: 00:35 April 26, 2008
Washington: People learning through genetic testing that they might be susceptible to devastating diseases would not also have to worry about losing their jobs or their health insurance under anti-discrimination legislation the US Senate passed on Thursday.
The 95-0 Senate vote sends the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act back to the House of Representatives, which could approve it early next week.
The Bill, described by Senator 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 enrolment eligibility. Similarly, employers could not use genetic information in hiring, firing or promotion decisions.
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