Contact: Remy Trupin (206) 851-6068 Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle

March 3, 2004

Genetic Discrimination Legislation Passes Unanimously
in the Washington Legislature

Olympia—Yesterday afternoon, the Washington State Legislature unanimously passed legislation to prevent the misuse of personal genetic information in employment by enacting privacy and confidentiality standards. Engrossed Senate Bill 6180, sponsored by Senator Rosa Franklin, will protect from discrimination in employment by prohibiting employers from using, acquiring, or disclosing genetic information.

Washington was one of only four states that had no explicit protection against discrimination from the use genetic information for jobs or insurance. With the promised signature of Governor Gary Locke in the coming weeks, Washington state residents will begin to enjoy protections from genetic discrimination in employment.

While the legislation passed unanimously, there were additional protections around life insurance and informed consent that were not included in the final genetics bill.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle led a coalition of civil rights, women’s, minority, labor and health organizations seeking protections from genetic discrimination. Given the political realities of Washington state with its strong medical research and biotech industries, constant communications and negotiations with key players helped make passage of this legislation possible and desirable for all parties. Federal legislation to prevent genetic discrimination in insurance and employment has proven allusive.

“The Jewish community has worked tirelessly to pass state and federal legislation that prevents genetic discrimination. We are particularly sensitive to this issue given the medical research that shows Jews of Eastern European descent have a higher propensity to certain genes associated with breast cancer, ovarian cancer and Tay-Sachs,” explained Tana Senn, the government affairs chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. Other communities face similar issues and concerns, such as African Americans and sickle cell anemia.

Some may regard the presence of a genetic mutation as an unalterable prediction that a person will manifest the disorder associated with that mutation, rather than as one of many factors affecting health. Genes are not destiny: the presence of genetic code that is linked to a predisposition for certain diseases does not mean that an individual will get that disease.

With these misconceptions so prevalent, employers may come to rely on genetic testing to ‘‘weed out’’ those employees who carry genes associated with diseases. Similarly, genetic traits may come to be used by health insurance companies to deny coverage to those who are seen as ‘‘bad genetic risks.’’ Enabling employers, insurers and others to base decisions about individuals on the characteristics that are assumed to be their genetic destiny would be an undesirable outcome of our national investment in genetic research, and may significantly diminish the benefits that this research offers.

Unfortunately, there have been documented cases of genetic discrimination in employment. Berkeley Labs and Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad are two national cases involving the improper use of genetic information to discriminate against groups or individuals in employment.

Founded in 1926, the Jewish Federation’s mission is “to ensure Jewish survival and enhance the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and worldwide.” In support of that mission, the Federation raises over $10 million annually for various social, community and educational programs and services. The Jewish Federation’s 2004 Community Campaign began September 15, 2003.

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