WHAT ABOUT YOUR GENES - ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND POLICY DIMENSIONS OF GENETICS IN THE WORKPLACE

Although few companies are currently applying genetic tests or using g enetic data, further developments in genetics will likely increase the role of genetics in the workplace, This article discusses the complex ethical issues raised by the variety of genetic tests that could beco me available and proposes guidelines for dealing with genetics in the workplace. It discusses how the results of genetic testing could be us ed for employment purposes, and argues that the existence of unequal b argaining power in the workplace limits the validity of consent as a b asis for policymaking. Instead, two specific justifications for geneti c testing in the workplace are proposed: the protection of health and the avoidance of harm to others. The author suggests that genetic test ing should be permitted only in exceptional circumstances and that eve ry genetic test should be evaluated on its scientific validity and sub mitted to rigorous review. Existing antidiscrimination law proves to b e a useful model for examining the rationality and proportionality of genetic testing in the workplace.