The FDA does not allow 23andMe to offer medical interpretations of its $199 human genetic mapping service. Oh, you can get ancestry information, but no information about your own genetic tendencies or disease markers unless you yourself decode the raw data. Because you, or 23andMe, might misinterpret it.
Meanwhile, a Republican Member of the US House of Representatives (Virginia Foxx [R-NC-5]) has introduced H.R. 1313, a bill which would allow your employer sponsored health plan access to your genetic profile under the pretense heading of “employee workplace wellness programs, including programs that utilize a health risk assessment, biometric screening, or other resources“.
This started under ObamaCare, where employers are allowed to add up to 30%, or more, to your health insurance premium if you don’t “volunteer” for their “workplace wellness program.” These programs typically look for, and monitor, health conditions such as weight, smoking and blood glucose.
H.R. 1313 takes the pre-existing condition question to the next level – pre-existing tendencies – and with the added heredity information, one can also imagine employer diversity programs based on your DNA inheritance. The good news is Elizabeth Warren might not have been counted as a minority on the Harvard faculty, no matter which boxes she checked. Every other application I can think of is bad news.
Outrageous.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…”
Cosponsors:
Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-7]
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Rep. Mitchell, Paul [R-MI-10]
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