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Monday, March 13, 2017

GOP-sponsored bill may help companies obtain your genetic information

House Democrats and a number of privacy advocacy groups came out against a House GOP-sponsored bill that would reportedly make it easier for employers to gain access to genetic information about their employees and their families.

The New York Times reported Friday that the bill-- called the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act-- may also significantly increase the costs if someone chooses not to participate in a company wellness program that requires the genetic information.

Fortune magazine summed up the bill: it “would essentially allow companies with workplace wellness programs to demand your genetic information (or force you to pay a big penalty.)”

The bill was introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The bill reportedly passed its first test in a committee vote that went straight down party line. The bill is still under review by other House committees.

More here

1 comment:

lmclain said...

I've told you before --- our government, specifically every law enforcement entity, would KILL to have everyone's DNA on file, but they know most people don't want that and would resist efforts to collect it.
BUT, make it MANDATORY to keep your job and institute penalties for failure to provide it? Or tell people they can find out "where they came from"? Shazaam! THIS is proposed by a REPUBLICAN, the keepers of the "small government" and "least intrusive" government flame??
How long before they make "the Mark of the Beast" mandatory?
Keep cheering.