Table 1 Genetic Discrimination in G7 countries.
From: Genetic discrimination still casts a large shadow in 2022
Countries | Protection measures | Legally Binding? | Sectors covered | Date adopted | Evidence of GD (excluding government use) | Government controlled DNA databases (individual profiles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | Genetic Non-Discrimination Act | Yes | General prohibition of GD in the public sector, additional protection to prevent GD in the conclusion of ‘agreements’ in the private sector | 2017 | Yes | National DNA Data Bank, over 622 thousand DNA profiles (March 2022 data) |
France | Loi du 4 mars 2002 relative aux droits des malades | Yes | General prohibition of GD, with specific sector legislation | 2002 | None documented | Fichier national automatisé des empreintes génétiques, over 5,21 million DNA profiles (December 2021 data) |
Germany | Human Genetic Examination Act | Yes | General prohibition of GD, with specific provisions for insurance (with some exclusions) and employment | 2009 | Yes, 1 small-scale study | German Forensic DNA Database, over 826 thousand DNA profiles (December 2021 data) |
Italy | Personal Data Protection Code & General Authorisation for the Processing of Genetic Data (reviewed on an annual basis) | Yes | Genetic data can only be processed in the context delineated annually by the General Authorisation for the Processing of Genetic Data | 2002 | None documented | Banca Dati Nazionale del DNA, over 240 thousand DNA profiles (June 2020 data) |
Japan | None | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes (1 large-scale survey) | National Police Agency DNA database, over 1.29 million DNA profile (December 2019 data) |
United Kingdom | Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance | No | Personal insurance (with some exceptions) | 2001 (Concordat and Moratorium on Genetics and Insurance) | None documented in the past 15 years | National DNA Database (NDNAD), over 5.82 million DNA profiles (June 2022 data) |
United States | Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act | Yes | Health insurance, employment, group insurance plan (more protection maybe afforded at the state level) | 2008 | Yes | National DNA Index System (NDIS), over 14.83 million DNA profiles (October 2021 Data) |
