(Coral Springs, FL) FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, a national nonprofit organization for women at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is calling for Congress to approve legislation to protect against employment and insurance discrimination based on genetic test results.
In order for such legislation to be genuinely effective, FORCE said, it must narrowly limit access to-not merely prohibit the misuse of-genetic information and establish the right to private cause of action for those who believe they are the victims of genetic discrimination
The statement coincides with the anticipated mark-up of genetic nondiscrimination legislation by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), which is scheduled for March 26, 2003.
FORCE Executive Director Sue Friedman commented, "It is ironic that as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of DNA and the completion of the sequencing of the human genome, that many individuals are afraid to avail themselves of genetic screening tests for fear the information will be used against them." Friedman went on to say, "It is clear that there is a need for genuinely effective laws that will protect the public and remove fear of discrimination as a barrier to the valuable information that can be provided by these scientific advancements."
FORCE is a national organization for women who are at high risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer due to their family history or presence of a genetic predisposition, and for members of families in which this risk is present. For more information or to view their statement on antidiscrimination legislation, visit the FORCE website at http://www.facingourrisk.org.