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Ron Paul & Genetic Discrimination
From Wired News:
Congress sent President Bush a bill Thursday forbidding employers and insurance companies from using genetic tests showing people are at risk of developing cancer, heart disease or other ailments to reject their job applications, promotions or health care coverage, or in setting premiums.
[…]
The House voted 414-1 for the legislation Thursday, a week after it passed the Senate on a 95-0 vote. The only member of Congress to vote against the bill was Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.
“Because of the federal government’s poor record in protecting privacy, I do not believe the best way to address concerns about the misuse of genetic information is through intrusive federal legislation,” Paul said.
I’m not sure I agree with the good Doctor on this one. Your thoughts?
Hungry for more?
Ron voted based on the constitution. Nowhere in the constitution does it say the federal government can ban genetic testing by private firms.
Employers and insurance companies should be able to employ or insure anyone they want without government interferance.
This is a social matter. I would not work for an employer who engaged in genetic testing. Similarly, I would not buy insurance from a company that required genetic testing. I suspect many people would do the same. Can you imagine the protesting that would occur? It would not be in the best interest of employers or insurance companies to require genetic testing.
But I could be wrong.