March 24, 2024

Canada passes genetic ‘anti-discrimination’ law

Canada has passed a new law that prevents corporations from demanding genetic information from potential employees or customers.

Canada’s House of Commons has passed a controversial new law that prevents corporations from demanding genetic information from potential employees or customers.

The law, known as ‘Bill S-201’, makes it illegal for companies to deny someone a job if they refuse a genetic test, and also prevents insurance companies from making new customer policies conditional on the supply of genetic information. Insurance companies will no longer be able to solicit genetic tests so as to determine customer premiums.

Critics of the bill said that insurance premiums would skyrocket, in some cases up to 30 or 50 per cent, if companies are prevented from obtaining genetic data. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau labelled the proposed legislation “unconstitutional” as it impinges on what he believes should be a matter for individual provinces to regulate.

Yet the bill’s supporters have described current mandatory genetic testing practices as a form of discrimination and a threat to privacy.

Following the parliamentary vote, which was 222-60 in favour, Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, the sponsor of the bill, described the result as a ‘victory for human rights’:

“This was a great day for Parliament, a great day for human rights and a greater day for people who are worried about getting the genetic test that could save their life but are afraid of facing discrimination”.

Some doctors say that the new protections will give patients the confidence to have genetic tests in hospitals, as this data can no longer be used against them by corporations.

Canada passes genetic ‘anti-discrimination’ law
Xavier Symons
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Creative commons
https://www.bioedge.org/images/2008images/genetic_testing.jpg
canada
discrimination
genetic testing
human rights
privacy