Employment & Insurance Discrimination

As we gain more and more knowledge of the human genome, many diseases are being traced to detectable genetic origins.  Eventually, technology may be developed to test each individual to locate genes for any diseases.  Genetic screening for diseases in newborns could become common practice.  Imagine an enormous data bank containing records of everyone's genome.  The advantage is planned medical care, delayed onset of diseases, treatment, and possible cures for genetically based diseases.

However, with such knowledge comes many possible problems.  A major problem is insurability.  When the amount of risk is uncertain to all, everyone can contribute equally to the insurance pool.  But when genetic disorders become known, those demonstrating higher risk could be charged higher premiums.  Insurance companies may deny coverage to those whose future expensive medical treatment is predicted by their genes.

Employers could begin screening possible employees and reject applicants with possible genetic disorders in an effort to cut premium costs they must pay.  Without employment, most individuals do not have access to medical treatment.  How can we prevent such discrimination?