By a vote of 95-0, the Senate approved a measure that would protect against genetic profiling in employment or insurance, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. The law would affect dozens of conditions influenced by genes. The National Human Genome Research Institute has encouraged people to take advantage of genetic testing.
Numerous genes, and combinations, are thought to be implicated in disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety disorder. Home kits are being marketed to people wanting to test for a predisposition to bipolar disorder. Experts doubt they are ready for use, and they may run as high as $399. Discrimination against people with a psychiatric disorder continues to be widespread.
The bill, which had 224 co-sponsors, was also heavily lobbied, according to Lamplight.org, by numerous interest groups, including health care, biotech and engineering. These groups spent, on average, more than $600,000 for each of the 95 votes. Opponents of the bill were retail trade, and manufacturing interest groups.
