Bill 2000 is currently under dispute as the Bill is debated in Federal Parliament. Bill 2000 does not reflect the uniqueness of genetic information. Under the Bill, genetic information is defined as sensitive health information, being treated as prescriptive health information. It also seeks to protect Australians from genetic discrimination. Genetic discrimination may be positive or negative.
Positive discrimination can be either beneficial or adverse.
For example, providing reduced premiums to individuals with a favourable record of genetic health may benefit the individual, but be argued from a consumer or public policy perspective to be unconstructive. On the other hand, positive discrimination on the basis of chromosome screening for potential susceptibility to workplace carcinogens and other toxins could arguably be a positive use of the technology. However, my concern is to protect individuals from treatment by a third party which would be disadvantageous to their interests. While there were examples of genetic discrimination in international jurisdictions, 9-11 there were no documented Australian examples at the time my Bill was introduced. However, the policy endorses disclosure of the results of any genetic test undertaken voluntarily by a potential policy holder in assessing risk and therefore premium price.