Use of genetic testing by employers

Article Abstract:

Scientists plan to map the entire human genome - the complete set of genes - within the next few years. This project promises to vastly improve our ability to detect genetic predispositions for many diseases. There are some possible abuses such advances could bring, however. Employers might use genetic tests to identify employees or potential employees at risk for certain diseases and to deny such people jobs. There are a few situations for which such screening might be justified, but it could also lead to unwarranted discrimination. An employer might use genetic screening to identify workers who are predisposed to early disabling disease. This use of genetic screening is not justifiable, particularly since the screening indicates only an increased risk, not a definite likelihood, for certain diseases. Employers might also use the screening in an effort to cut health care costs. Such a policy would not alter society's overall health care costs, it would deny society the benefit of certain individuals' productivity, and it would unduly burden other employers with higher health care costs. Genetic testing for public safety is also of little use. It only identifies possible future risks, not present functioning. An employer might ask for such tests to identify people at risk for exposure to certain elements of a particular job. Again, in most cases, the testing would only identify a possible risk, not a definite outcome. An employer would need to show that a certain genetic test is highly accurate in predicting adverse effects from the particular exposure of the job. It is important that the legal rights of employees be protected and that the use of genetic testing by employers remain extremely limited. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage

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Priorities in professional ethics and social policy for human genetics

Article Abstract:

Employers rarely use genetic testing to screen employees. Although advances in the area of genetic testing are rapidly being made, it is unlikely that employer use of such testing will occur in the near future. This is due to the limitations inherent to genetic testing and present legal obstacles to the misuse of this testing. Still, much attention is being devoted to the possible misuse of genetic testing by employers. One possible reason for the attention to the issue is that it is seen as important to address and prevent a potential problem before it exists. But the questions related to the possible use and misuse of genetic screening in the workplace are applicable to the broader questions on the use and misuse of such screening in most social contexts. Important questions arise on how genetic screening should be used in the clinical setting. The law is less settled in the clinical setting on the protections a patient would have regarding information obtained from genetic tests. For example, might the information be released to insurance companies? Antidiscrimination laws afford individuals more protection in the workplace regarding disclosure of genetic information than they do in the clinical setting. There is value in discussing the possible problems that advances in genetic testing could bring to the workplace, but it is in the clinical setting that these problems are of a more immediate concern. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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The clinical introduction of genetic testing for Alzheimer disease: an ethical perspective

Article Abstract:

A panel of experts convened by the National Institutes of Health recommends that genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease (AD) should only be offered to people with a family history of early-onset AD. Early-onset AD is associated with mutations in genes on chromosomes 1, 14 and 21. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 gene has also been linked to AD, but the presence of this gene does not automatically cause AD. Widespread screening of asymptomatic people could cause severe anxiety in those who test positive for APOE epsilon4. In addition, they could be denied long-term care insurance.

Genetic aspects, Alzheimer's disease

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