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GENETIC SCREENING AT WORK Australia: Workplace gene testing fears Britain: Genetic testing “must be regulated” USA: Move towards workplace gene screen ban Global:
Gene screens have no place at work Britain:
Watchdog calls for bar on genetic discrimination USA:
IBM rejects genetic screening at work USA: Senate passes ban on genetic discrimination The US Senate has unanimously approved legislation to bar health insurers and employers from discriminating against people with a genetic predisposition to disease. The bill, which still needs to be approved by the House of Representatives before it can become law, would ban employers from making hiring or firing decisions based on genetic information. Risks 196, 26 February 2005 Germany: Are your genes up to the job? Top level consideration of a law that would allow limited genetic testing for employees is causing consternation in Germany. In jobs such as construction or public transportation, the law would allow for genetic testing for symptoms of colour blindness among other things. Risks 180, 30 October 2004 GLOBAL: Surveillance in the workplace If employers have their way they will soon be testing more than your patience. Companies are becoming more and more keen on alcohol, drug and genetic testing at work. They monitor your email, your phone calls, your work rate and your whereabouts. Hazards warns this scrutiny is a dangerous distraction that will be bad for your safety and privacy, and argues it may be their company, but your body is your business. More USA: Senate backs ban on genetic discrimination at work The US Senate has voted with an overwhelming majority to approve legislation that would prohibit companies from using genetic test results to make employment decisions, deny health coverage or raise insurance premiums. 18 October 2003 More EUROPE Unions say nothing justifies workplace gene screening Unions say nothing justifies workplace gene screening Europe's top union body ETUC has called for a ban on genetic screening in the workplace. 1 November 2003 More  AUSTRALIA:
Hands off our genes! Australia's unions say employers should 'be prohibited from requiring, requesting, collecting or disclosing information derived from genetic testing of current or potential employees.' 19 January 2002 More  UK:
Ban unfair screening TUC says "we oppose susceptibility screening as this will remove the emphasis on an employer's legal duties to make the workplace safe for all." 19 January 2002 More Gene tests for strain susceptibility "illegal The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has told Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad that its use of secret genetic testing of some employees violated federal law. 28 July 2001 More
Gene machine:
Not perfect? One day soon it may cost you your job. As the gene testing
gadgets become a wrong headed but affordable option, more employers
are expressing an interest.
In February 2001, scientists announced they had mapped out the entire human genetic code. Medics were elated, predicting remedies for deadly diseases; the press latched onto every promise of "golden bullets" and "miracle cures". The news was less rosy for the workforce, though, as employers and insurers saw an opportunity to winnow out the weak or susceptible from the workplace.  Disability
rights and genetic screeningExtensive list of links from the union-backed US New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH). NYCOSH links  ACLU
on genetic discrimination at work The American Civil Liberties Union dispels some myths about genetic tests in the workplace and highlights the dangers. ACLU genetic discrimination in the workplace National Workrights Institute on genetic discrimination National Workrights Institute on genetic discrimination Our collective knowledge of human genetics and its impact on our health is growing at an astonishing rate. Unfortunately, one of the immediate consequences of this development is the increased threat of discrimination, with employers unwilling to hire workers identified as at risk from certain conditions. National Workrights Institute  Official
UK working group says "no" to gene screening More |
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HAZARDS MAGAZINE • WORKERS' HEALTH INTERNATIONAL NEWS |
