US bans genetic discrimination
Published:Friday | April 25, 2008 | 1:38 PM
The United States Senate has passed legislation banning discrimination on the basis of a persons genetic details.
The proposal, which was passed 95 to 0, still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it becomes law.
It will allow only patients and their doctors to access data obtained through genetic testing.
The bill will also forbid health insurers from refusing coverage, or raising premiums, for healthy people based on the information.
The bill is reportedly supported by the White House and by health insurers, but opposed by some business interests, including the US Chamber of Commerce.