GENETIC DISCRIMINATION AND SCREENING FOR HEMOCHROMATOSIS

Recent advances in tests for the genotype for hemochromatosis and sugg estions that the tests be used in mass screening programs for the dise ase raise the possibility of a large increase in the incidence of disc rimination against people who are found to be homozygous for hemochrom atosis. This paper presents cases of genetic discrimination drawn from a study of discrimination against people with a variety of genetic co nditions. The cases discussed here involve employment and several type s of insurance discrimination against people diagnosed with hemochroma tosis who either are currently asymptomatic or whose condition is cont rolled by means of phlebotomies. There is no justification for these t ypes of discrimination since people with controlled hemochromatosis su ffer no excess mortality or morbidity. Our study suggests that genetic discrimination is already a serious problem and that any proposed scr eening program for hemochromatosis or other genetic condition must con sider and attempt to mitigate its effects.