Pope Speaks Out on Genetic Discrimination
An article by the Associated Press about Pope Benedict XVI's remarks on Saturday regarding the danger of genetic discrimination has generated a good deal of comment. What is genetic discrimination?
In sum, there are now more than 1,000 genetic tests for various disorders. These tests assess risk for illness ranging from prenatal tests for Down syndrome and birth defects to tests given to individuals with a family history of colon cancer, ovarian cancer and Huntington's disease to name a few. The medical community strongly advocates the use of testing to help prevent disease and illness. Genetic discrimination refers to adverse decisions which are made as a result of those test results.
According to the Associated Press, Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday that any type of discrimination based on genetic factors, such as a risk for cancer or other ailments, is an attack against all of humanity:
One's biological, psychological and cultural development and health can never become an element for discrimination.
The article went on to point out that the Pope's comments were made in reference to to a screening mechanism for embryos created for testing prior to in-vitro fertilization. It comes as no surprise that the Vatican is strongly opposed to the practice.
The issues surrounding genetic discrimination however are far broader particularly as they relate to employment. I did a television interview about this topic last spring. Here's the problem.
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