Skip to main content

Genetic Discrimination

Meaning

Genetic Discrimination refers to the prejudicial treatment of individuals by employers or health insurance companies based solely on their genetic information, which may indicate a predisposition to a future health condition. This unfair practice occurs when an individual’s genetic test results, family medical history, or other genetic data are used to deny employment, limit job responsibilities, or influence health insurance eligibility or premium rates. Such discrimination creates a significant barrier to utilizing precision diagnostics and proactive health management, as individuals may fear the professional or financial repercussions of learning their genetic risk. The practice is largely prohibited in the United States by the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).