Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

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Imagine being discriminated because of something beyond your control. This type of discrimination is called genetic discrimination which is when one is discriminated and or treated differently by their employment or insurance company because of their genetic makeup (National Institutes of Health). The phobia of genetic discrimination is gripping many people around the world. People find themselves asking, “Could my genetic makeup raise my health bills? Could this cause me to be rejected from a career opportunity?” Because of genetic discrimination, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was created. The purpose of this act is to protect Americans from being treated unfairly because of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. Although this law was created, genetic discrimination still happens today. Genetic discrimination may exist for potential reasons but it is still inequitable and wrong due to its negative effect on society and the great harm it can cause.
Various people are treated wrongly and unequal due to the information of the differences in their DNA. Inequality among humans is a dangerous aspect of society. For centuries it has been fueled by arrogance and hatred. Michael Kirby, a former Australian jurist, states that the “great dangers from adverse discrimination lie principally in the context of social arrangements which may be affected by knowledge about an individual’s genetic makeup.” Genetic discrimination does not only affect the individual; it affects their family and friends too because “employers can also use DNA information to decide whether to hire or fire workers” (National Human Genome Institute). If the employer decides to not hire the individual, he or she will not be able to provide...

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.... As of now, people are being discriminated through employment and insurance companies but it can lead to something bigger and worse.
Did you imagine being discriminated because of your genetic makeup? How did it make you feel? Did it make you feel bad about yourself? Imagine how the people who get discriminated feel. Genetic discrimination exists because employers choose to use one’s inherited information against an employee. An individual’s genetic information is beyond his or her control. There is nothing he or she can do about it and it is not right for them to be discriminated because of it. Genetic information should not lower chances at a job opportunity because it does not determine a person’s skill. Overall, genetic discrimination should be banned. There is no purpose of discriminating because of genetic information; the only outcomes come out negative.

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