What policy prohibits discrimination based on genetic information?

• A. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
• B. Genetic Privacy Act
• C. Bioethics Non-Discrimination Policy
• D. Genetic Equality Statute

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is protecting people from discrimination based on genetic information. The law that does this is the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). GINA prohibits health insurers from using genetic information in underwriting or coverage decisions and from requesting or requiring genetic tests. It also prevents employers from using genetic information in hiring, firing, or other employment decisions, and it forbids retaliation when someone seeks genetic services or discloses genetic information.

Genetic information covers more than a single test result—it includes family medical history and the results of genetic counseling as well. This means that a person’s predisposition to a condition, revealed through genetics, can’t be used to deny coverage or influence job decisions.

There are important limits to keep in mind: GINA does not extend to life insurance, disability, or long-term care insurance in the same way, and it doesn’t protect against every possible use of health or personal information in every setting. Other labels in the choices aren’t federal protections that specifically prohibit this kind of discrimination.