Senate OKs bill barring genetic discrimination

CARSON CITY -- The Senate has approved a measure barring employers from discriminating against job applicants as a result of their genetic profiles.

Senate Bill 16, which moved Thursday to the Assembly for final approval, expands on a law passed two years ago that bars health insurers from discriminating on the basis of genetic testing.

Genetic research is revolutionizing medicine -- but there are risks as well as benefits, Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, said.

"Someone's going to find your genetic information," he warned. "With this type of access to information, the portent exists for potential discrimination."

James said researchers have found that every person carries eight to 12 genes that could predispose them to alcoholism, high-risk behavior or potentially fatal diseases, such as Huntington's disease.

There have been cases involving the use of genetic testing in employment recently, including a high-profile case involving the U.S. Department of Defense.

In that case, all members of the armed services had to provide a DNA sample, to be kept on file for 75 years.

Though the requirement was meant to help identify soldiers killed on the battlefield, no restrictions were placed on the use of the genetic tests. A federal court found the requirement was constitutional, and the policy hasn't been changed.

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