NEGATIVE — EMPLOYMENT — WORKPLACE GENETIC SCREENING 310

LITTLE GENETIC SCREENING GOES ON

COMPANIES ARE NOT ENGAGING IN GENETIC SCREENING

Stephen Overell, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (LONDON), February 4, 1999, SECTION: Pg. 71 TITLE: Business File: Experts agree it's time to stick the gene genie back into the bottle // acs-EE2001

Maureen Minehan, issues manager for the US Society for Human Resource Management, says: "Companies are not doing anything with this. As soon as they know any information they are liable under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act, so it does them no good knowing. It has simply not become an issue."

THERE IS VERY LITTLE EVIDENCE OF GENETIC SCRENING PRIVACY ABUSE

Stephen Overell, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (LONDON), February 4, 1999, SECTION: Pg. 71 TITLE: Business File: Experts agree it's time to stick the gene genie back into the bottle // acs-EE2001

Sandy Thomas, director of the Nuffield Council on Bio-Ethics, says: "There is so little evidence of abuse that there is no need for primary legislation at the moment."

But she also points to a positive side to the use of genetics to help prevent disease and disability: "If people are genetically at risk, there may be a case for screening both to protect individuals and, obviously, to protect against claims."

INSURANCE INDUSTRY WILL NEVER USE GENETIC SCREENING TO WEED OUT PEOPLE

The Detroit News, February 15, 1999, SECTION: Metro; Pg. Pg. D1, TITLE: Gene study raises fears for privacy: Protections proposed to ban improper use by employers, insurers // acs-EE2001

On the other hand, insurers say there's little evidence the industry has imminent plans to screen applicants through genetic tests.

Richard Coorsh of the Health Insurance Association of America in Washington, D.C., said state concerns betray a misconception of how medical insurance works. Most workers are in group plans, purchased by employers, he said.

"You're able to spread the risk over a wide body of people," Coorsh explained. "There's no testing of individuals based on health status."