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USCCB Official Praises Senate Passage Of 'Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act'

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate voted 95 to 0 to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act ("GINA," H.R. 493), which bars employers and health insurers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of their own or their family members' genetic information, on April 24.

Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy and Communications at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, praised its passage.

"Today the Senate took a stand for some of the most vulnerable members of the human family, whether born, yet to be born, or placed for adoption. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of genetic testing," McQuade said.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a nearly identical bill by a vote of 420 to 3 on April 25, 2007.

"The Pro-Life Secretariat is particularly grateful to Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) for ensuring that this bill's protection against discrimination will cover the families of unborn children with adverse prenatal diagnoses, as well as children being adopted," she said. "His advocacy on their behalf will empower families to welcome vulnerable children with special needs into their lives."

"After minor technical differences between the House and Senate bills are resolved, we look forward to President Bush signing into law this important protection for American families," McQuade said.