Data from Texas Tech University Update Knowledge in Genetics (Do Your Genes Fit: How Life Insurance Companies Discriminate Based on Genetic Test Results): Genetics

2024 JAN 16 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health Policy and Law Daily -- Researchers detail new data in genetics. According to news reporting out of Lubbock, Texas, by NewsRx editors, research stated, “The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) represents a significant legislative step in protecting U.S. citizens from genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment.”

The news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Texas Tech University: “However, despite its broad preventive measures, GINA has limitations in scope and enforcement. Notably, it does not extend protections to life insurance, disability, and long-term care insurance, leaving U.S. citizens susceptible to genetic discrimination. State-level legislative efforts have tried to reconcile these vulnerabilities. Many state-level legislative efforts vary in effectiveness, with some states like Florida and Illinois enacting more robust laws.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “The future of genetic information protection requires an amendment to GINA or new federal legislation, drawing from successful state models to ensure adequate protections. This paper advocates for such national legislation, highlighting the minimal impact on the life insurance market and the importance of safeguarding genetic privacy to foster trust in genetic testing and scientific progress.”

For more information on this research see: Do Your Genes Fit: How Life Insurance Companies Discriminate Based on Genetic Test Results. Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Biodefense Law, 2024,0(0). The publisher for Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Biodefense Law is Walter de Gruyter GmbH.

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1515/jbbbl-2023-0005.

Our news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Jared Williams, Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety and Biodefense Law, Texas Tech University School of Law, 3311 18th St., Lubbock 79409-0004, TX, United States.

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)