But a diagnosis of hemochromatosis is not the only disease that puts people at risk of genetic discrimination. There have been hundreds of cases of genetic discrimination in the past few years against carriers of other diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis. Dr. Bacon and colleagues urge more efforts to educate insurers and the public about genetic discrimination so wide-scale screening programs can be implemented. In hemochromatosis, for example, symptoms usually do not appear until between 40 and 60 years of age. By then, the patient may have already sustained serious liver damage.
Early detection is essential.
No one should be afraid to seek information to make educated choices regarding their health. More than 25 states have enacted some form of genetic nondiscrimination in health insurance legislation. Missouri currently has one such law pending, and Illinois has enacted a law that protects against genetic discrimination in the workplace.