Conference Announcement: Living in the Genetic Age

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

21st Annual Health Law Symposium

Friday, March 20, 2009
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
William H. Kniep Courtroom

Advances in genetic technology raise a broad range of legal, social and ethical concerns. Fear of genetic discrimination remains an issue, as evidenced by the passage of GINA, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, which limited the use of genetic information by employers and health insurance providers. Other concerns include the meaning and uses of genetic knowledge in the face of uncertain choices; the significance of genetic information for ideas of self, family and community; and the challenges of genetic enhancement and personalized genomic medicine. This Symposium gathers leading experts and scholars from fields including law, medicine and anthropology to discuss these and
other challenges of living in the genetic age.

Details and registration:

Call: Mary Ann Jauer (314) 977-3067
Click: law.slu.edu/genetics
Write: jauerma(at)slu.edu

GINA is now the law of the land

Finally! The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act has been signed into law. More info here, there, and everywhere. Oh, and here too.

GINA passes Senate vote unanimously

The news from Reuters via WaPo is here.

Genetic nondiscrimination bill finally coming up for Senate vote

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is finally coming up for a Senate vote, according to Michael Stebbins of Scientists & Engineers for America. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has had a hold on the bill since last year but has released it. Here's the NYT's report, and here's a version from GenomeWeb.

GINA would protect Americans from discrimination in employment and insurance based on genetic test results. As Linda blogged earlier, the act was passed by the House in March (264 - 148) as part of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007. You can learn more about the act and its halting progress through the hallowed halls of Washington here.

According to Stebbins, Coburn has now placed a hold on the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act.