Personal Genome Project Study Guide
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Part I: Genetic Material

Part II: Gene Transmission

Part III: Gene Expression

Part IV: Genetic Regulation

Part V: Genetics and Society

Part VI: Project Literacy

 

 

 

  Part VI: Project Literacy
Lesson 11: Participating in the Personal Genome Project
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Lesson 11 Practice Test

Another risk associated with personal genomics is that an insurance company could refuse to cover you if your DNA shows that you have a genetic propensity for a disease, or an employer could refuse to hire you because providing health benefits could be too expensive. Genetic discrimination is against the law in the United States since President George W. Bush signed into law the Genetics Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in May 2008. The law doesn't cover life, disability, or long-term care insurance, however, and has other shortcomings according to some bioethics experts. Plus, it's unrealistic to think that genetic discrimination won't occur, simply because it's against the law.

 

See the article by Mark A. Rothstein called "Keeping Your Genes Private" in the September 2008 issue of Scientific American for more information regarding laws related to genetic privacy.