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Canada is close to catching up with other Western countries in protecting the most fundamental of information: our genetic code.
Last spring, the Senate unanimously passed Bill S-201, which would prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination in Canada. The legislation is now before the House of Commons. We believe that Canadians need to be more informed about why this legislation should be supported, and become law.
We are in the midst of a genetic-technology revolution the impact of which will only be realized through protection against consequences of DNA information. There are 6,000 genetic diseases. In our institutions alone, tens of thousands of genetic tests are conducted each year – to diagnose diseases, guide treatment, inform reproductive planning and test for influences in drug response.
Consider this scenario: Your child is suffering from a potentially fatal disorder. After several arduous months of searching for an answer to its cause, you are offered a genetic test. This test may give doctors a clue to explain the illness and help treat it.
But there is a risk. The same inherited DNA information that...