The Human Genome Project was one of the biggest breakthroughs ever in science. However the project resulted in some very interesting legal and ethical debates ranging across a wide array of topics. GINA was a bill passed in 2008 to address just one of these topics.
The main focus of the Human Genome Project was to study, understand and be able to use human genetics for the betterment of all mankind. By breaking down the essence of human life, scientists were able to better understand exactly what percentage of appearance, health, personality and more are the result of genetics. They became better able to understand the exact chemistry of the human body, and what kind of role genetics plays. The project lasted 13 years (from 1990-2003) and was an overwhelming success.
One of the benefits of the Human Genome Project was that for the first time, it gave scientists the ability to determine the likelihood of illness in human patients. Genes for all types of hereditary diseases were studied, identified, and could be accurately identified in people who carried the gene years before the first symptoms presented. While this could be beneficial for an individual to know, it’s detrimental for an insurance company to know.
In May of 2008, President Bush signed GINA, the Genetics Information Nondiscriminationn Act into law, thereby making it illegal for insurance companies to refuse or revoke coverage based on the results of genetics tests. Many insurance companies argued that the results of these tests could count as pre-existing conditions. However this law protects Americans on the basis that a condition does not become a documented condition until it presents itself. Simply carrying the gene is not enough to legally be able to negatively affect insurance plans.
GINA is a triumph for Americans everywhere who have had genetics tests because they are concerned about their family history of health. By having this act signed into law, people around the country can rest easy knowing that their health care will not be removed or go up in price, regardless of their genetics testing.