Genetics in the Workplace

The purpose of this document is to consolidate the diverse literature and opinions on genetics in the workplace, to flag important issues, and to provide some considerations for current and future research and practice. Recent advances in understanding the human genome have created opportunities for disease prevention and treatment. Even though the focus of attention on applications of genetic discoveries has been largely outside of the workplace, genetic information and genetic...
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The purpose of this document is to consolidate the diverse literature and opinions on genetics in the workplace, to flag important issues, and to provide some considerations for current and future research and practice. Recent advances in understanding the human genome have created opportunities for disease prevention and treatment. Even though the focus of attention on applications of genetic discoveries has been largely outside of the workplace, genetic information and genetic testing are impacting today's workplace. The issues related to genetic information and genetic testing in the workplace have the potential to affect every worker in the United States. This NIOSH document provides a discussion on the benefits, limitations, and risks of genetic information and genetic tests. Anecdotal evidence already exists of employers inappropriately using genetics tests. Although genetic technology is becoming widely available, a serious knowledge gap on the part of consumers of this technology is a concern. Basic information on genetics, genetic research, genetic testing, genetic information, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, technological advances based on genetics, notification, data management, and discrimination need to be discussed. The passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 has abated some concerns about the misuse of genetic information. This NIOSH document provides information on these issues to help the reader be made more aware of the multitude of scientific, legal, and ethical issues with regard to the use of genetics in occupational safety and health research and practice. This document has been written to appeal to both targeted and broad audiences. Occupational safety and health professionals and practitioners interested in the use of genetic information in the workplace will be most informed by the chapters on the role of genetic information in the workplace, health records, genetic monitoring, genetic screening, and the ethical, social, and legal implications of this information. Academics and researchers will be especially interested in the chapter on incorporating genetics into occupational health research. Employers, workers, and other lay readers will likely find the chapters on health records and ethical, social, and legal implications of genetic information in the workplace provide the most information. Regardless of specific reader interest levels, the goal of this document is to draw attention to the many gaps in knowledge about the use of genetic information and to stimulate dialogue on its use in the workplace.