Contact: Danielle Morrow, The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity, 847-345-7248, media@cbhd.org

CHICAGO, April 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (CBHD) applauds the overwhelming House approval of H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (GINA) that offers basic genetic privacy rights and prohibits genetic discrimination.

While this approval is welcomed, this bill serves as a reminder of how research so frequently outpaces ethical considerations and legislative safeguards. That this bill comes a full four years after the completion of the sequencing of the entire human genetic code in April 2003 is testimony to this concern. Given the specific budget allocations and concerted reflection to address the ethical, legal and social issues of the Human Genome Project, it is absolutely stunning that seventeen years after the mapping of the human genome was first initiated we do not yet have meaningful federal legislation to protect genetic privacy and make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of genetics.

In response to the House approval of GINA, Director of the Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity C. Ben Mitchell, Ph.D., comments, "While the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is certainly no panacea, it is a good start. Protection against the misuse of genetic information will require our utmost diligence."

To ensure protection against the misuse of genetic information, CBHD urges swift passage of this legislation by the Senate and calls on the President to sign GINA into law as soon as possible.

About The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity:
The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the nexus of biomedicine, biotechnology, and our common humanity. The Center exists to equip thought leaders to engage the issues of bioethics using the tools of rigorous research, conceptual analysis, charitable critique, leading-edge publication, and effective teaching.

Contact:
For Interviews with CBHD Director C. Ben Mitchell, Ph.D., or Other Center Personnel:
Danielle Morrow 847-345-7248 or media@cbhd.org