Non-discrimination law for genetic information

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a United States law designed to prohibit the misuse of genetic information in health insurance and employment. It prohibits health plan groups and insurers from denying individual coverage based solely on genetic predisposition to develop a disease in the future.

Senator Ted Kennedy regarded it as the major new civil right of the century.

The legislation also prohibits employers from using individual genetic information to counter, dismiss, assign jobs, or make promotion decisions.

On April 24, 2004, H.R. 493 was approved by the Senate with 95 votes in favor and none against. It was then sent to the House of Representatives, where on May 1 it passed with 414 votes in favor. President George W. Bush signed it into law on May 21, 2008.

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