Authors

Amber Brooks

Document Type

Honors Project

First Advisor

Dr. Arthur Gumenik

Degree Award Date

Spring 2004

Keywords

Genetic Susceptibility Testing, Workplace, government policy

Disciplines

Genetics and Genomics | Life Sciences | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Abstract

In this paper I will discuss what genetic testing is, the advantages and disadvantages of genetic testing, current laws that prohibit genetic testing of employees, and the need for a federal law that would prohibit genetic testing of employees. Even though the medical benefits that may arise from the giant steps that have occurred in genetic testing seem profound, they also open the door to discrimination. Politicians need to develop safeguards so that this is not possible. Every American should have the right to find out their predispositions to certain diseases without the fear of losing or being denied a job. The advances in science are far ahead of the laws. Americans are becoming extremely worried that these advances will not be used to improve their health, but to deny them employment. This is a sound claim because there is no information that is more personal than a person's own genetic information and this information should be protected.

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