As a plant breeder/geneticist, I am really pleased to see that there is going to be federal legslation passed to bar genetic discrimination for the general public http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=bill-bars-genetic-discrimination&sc=rss.  Now the only step left is for President Bush to sign the bill.  Back in the Clinton years, a law was passed that protected federal employees only. 
 
If the bill is signed into law then if you get genetic testing your employer and insurance company can utilize information about your genetic predisposition to make decisions on your continued employment or insurance coverage.  I am particularly happy about this for those people who do not have any medical history about one or both of their parents.  My mom knew nothing about her mother or her medical history other than she died after complications from giving birth to my mom.  So for my mom, my sister and I we do not have any information to give doctors that request family history information.  We have considered getting genetic testing now that it is available, but since there was no protection for us if we turned out to have a genetic predisposition we decided not to get any testing done. 
 
Good job Congress!  I am sure happy if the bill is signed that we will have the freedom to get testing done with protection from employment and insurance discrimination.  In addition, it will help scientists make breakthroughs in testing and treating genetic diseases since testing.  Some days it is great to be an American and this is one of them. 
 
Barbara E. Liedl
Associate Research Professor
liedlbe@wvstateu.edu
304-766-5767