Tom Harkin: “genetic discrimination is a terribly important issue and one that I have been following for quite some time now. I am…”

“genetic discrimination is a terribly important issue and one that I have been following for quite some time now. I am pleased to be here today with Senator Daschle, Senator Dodd, and Senator Kenendy to introduce the ``Genetic Non-discrimination in Health Insurance and Employment Act of 1999.'' The advances we have made recently in the study of the human gene are mind-boggling. The identification of a number of disease-related genes is providing scientists with important new tools for understanding the underlying mechanisms for many illnesses. Genomic technologies have the potential to lead to better diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately to the prevention and cure of many diseases and disabilities. Yet discrimination in health insurance and employment, and the fear of potential discrimination, threaten our ability to conduct the very research we need to understand, treat, and prevent genetic disease. Moreover, discrimination--and the fear of discrimination--threaten our ability to use new genetic technologies to improve human health.”