Of course, some states, such as Pennsylvania, have not legislated at all specifically to control the use of genetic test results. Over the past two years, breakthrough discoveries in genetic testing have suggested that the predictability or susceptibility of certain genetically related diseases would make available exquisitely sensitive information about individuals which heretofore did not exist. Thus, employers, insurers, law enforcement officials and a host of other interested persons might inquire or compel disclosure of information which could predict the onset of dread diseases or the increased likelihood of susceptibility to these diseases. Already a groundswell of state laws has sought to regulate the use or misuse of genetic testing information in the issuance of health and life insurance. However, the complexities of regulation of health insurance and health benefits made many of these protections inapplicable to many individuals who receive health benefits through certain employer sponsored plans.
Genetic information is the end product of genetic testing.
Genetic testing is not a novel clinical development and in some ways it has been practiced for many years. For example, some types of genetic information may be gathered from a focused medical history and physical examination. Likewise, for many years, states have required newborns to be tested for hereditary diseases such as phenylketonuria, a treatable metabolic disorder. The current concerns stem from entirely new, dramatic studies in molecular science. The HGP is intended to map the entire human genome, determine the sequence of genetic codes and ultimately to understand the function of genetic codes.