Genetic information protection now in force

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which was passed in May 2008, went into effect this past weekend. The law:

• Prohibits employers from requesting, requiring or purchasing genetic information about an employee or an employee's family member.
• Prohibits health insurers from requesting or requiring a person to take a genetic test.
• Forbids the use of a person's genetic information by health insurance companies for determining eligibility or insurance premiums.
• Does not interfere with health care workers' ability to request that a person or family member take a genetic test, or to provide patients with information on genetic tests that are available.

Here is some background and further information of the new law: The Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University

See also today's NPR story.