New laws will combat genetic discrimination

New legislation aimed at protecting individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of their genetic heritage is to be contained in the forthcoming Disability Bill.

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ms Mary Wallace said today she would include measures in the Bill "to provide a framework for future practice in this important new area."

Speaking at a disability conference in Dublin, Ms Wallace said: "Genetic testing is an important and emerging area of science bringing important benefits in medical diagnosis and treatment for many people with disabilities."

"However, it is important that we ensure that there sufficient safeguards in place to ensure that the rights of people to integrity of the person, to privacy, and to non-discrimination on the basis of their genetic heritage, are put in place," she said.

Ms Wallace said the issue was of direct concern to those of us who may be genetically disposed to a condition for which genetic testing is available.

Concerns have been raised about the possibility of insurance companies demanding genetic tests before issuing policies. Disability groups fear this type of scenario would create a "genetic underclass". They are calling on the Government to establish legislation which would protect society from abuse of genetic knowledge.

Earlier this year the British Commons Science and Technology Select Committee criticised the insurance industry in the UK for the use of genetic tests. It is seeking a two-year moratorium on the use of such tests. The British government is working on a new legislation.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice told ireland.comthat the new legislation would attempt to strike a balance between the benefits of the science and a protection of individual rights. He said the area was a complex one and may need to dealt with separately from the Disability Bill.