Domestic and international data protection issues : possible uses and misuses of genetic infomation : public hearing.

  • United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Operations. Government Information, Justice, and Agriculture Subcommittee.
Date:
[1991]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Domestic and international data protection issues : possible uses and misuses of genetic infomation : public hearing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/194
    EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION I AM VERY SERIOUSLY CONCERNED BY THE POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE IN THIS AREA. JUST LAST WEEK, FOR INSTANCE, THE OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT RELEASED A STUDY SHOWING THAT 59% OF EMPLOYERS REQUIRE PRE-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH EXAMINATIONS OF ALL OR MOST JOB APPLICANTS. WILL THESE TESTS BE USED BY COMPANIES TO REJECT PEOPLE WITH A PREDISPOSITION TO CORONARY DISEASE OR TO ALCOHOLISM OR TO DEPRESSION OR CANCER, ON THE GROUNDS THAT GENETIC SCREENING IS HELPFUL TO HIRING A PROBLEM-FREE WORKFORCE THAT WILL MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY? I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THE REGULATIONS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION DO NOT EXPLICITLY STATE THAT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENETIC INFORMATION IS A VIOLATION OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. I WILL BE SUBMITTING SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO EEOC CHAIRMAN EVAN KEMP TO FIND OUT WHY GENETIC DISCRIMINATION WAS NOT PROTECTED IN THE REGULATIONS. IF NEW LEGISLATION IS NEEDED, WE MAY HAVE TO BEGIN CONSULTATIONS AND FILL ANY GAPS IN THE LAW.