Parliamentarians were right to pass law against genetic discrimination

Insurance companies already discriminate based on lifestyle choices and family history, so why not genetics? A genome is not under your control, unlike a smoking habit or skydiving hobby.

Former Senator James Cowan championed the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (Bill S-201), which received royal assent in May.The Hill Times file photograph

Opinion

BY JAMES CHEETHAM

September 20, 2017

One consequence of the Human Genome Project was a vast increase in the variety and availability of genetic tests. In response, governments in most Western countries passed laws to protect their citizens from genetic discrimination. On May 4, Canada caught up, when the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act ...

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