SENATE HELP COMMITTEE VOTES IN FAVOR OF GENETIC NONDISCRIMINATION BILL

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Jan. 31 voted to approve the "Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act."

If enacted, the law would prohibit discrimination by health insurers and employers based on individuals' genetic information (Device Daily Bulletin, Jan. 22 (http://www.fdanews.com/dailies/device/3_15/news/65141-1.html)).

"In the absence of federal protections many Americans are choosing not to be tested and are declining to participate in clinical trials," HELP Committee Chairman Sen. Edward Kennedy said.

The bill has enjoyed wide bipartisan support in the past, but has sputtered in House committees led by Republican lawmakers. With Democrats in control of the House and the fact that President Bush supports the bill, supporters are optimistic that the proposal could become law during the 110th Congress.