The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA): Public Policy and Medical Practice in the Age of Personalized Medicine

Survey data suggest that many people fear genetic discrimination by health insurers or employers. In fact, such discrimination has not yet been a significant problem. This article examines the fear and reality of genetic discrimination in the United States, describes how Congress sought to prohibit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of general internal medicine : JGIM 2012-06, Vol.27 (6), p.743-746
Main Author: Feldman, Eric A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Discrimination
General aspects
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act 2008-US
Genetic Privacy - legislation & jurisprudence
Genetic Testing - legislation & jurisprudence
Genetics
Humans
Internal Medicine
Legislation, Medical
Medical sciences
Medical treatment
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Miscellaneous
Perspectives
Precision medicine
Precision Medicine - methods
Prejudice
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Public Policy
United States
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Summary:Survey data suggest that many people fear genetic discrimination by health insurers or employers. In fact, such discrimination has not yet been a significant problem. This article examines the fear and reality of genetic discrimination in the United States, describes how Congress sought to prohibit such discrimination by passing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), and explores the implications of GINA for general internists and their institutions. It concludes that medical providers and health care institutions must be familiar with the general intent and specific terms of GINA, and should continue to collect genetic information that can contribute to the high quality provision of medical treatment. Not doing so violates their medical mission and diminishes the quality of care patients deserve.
ISSN:0884-8734
1525-1497
DOI:10.1007/s11606-012-1988-6