Confidentiality and health insurance

To take a genetic test that can identify a real risk of disease, or a future susceptibility, might have important social implications.

Cases of businesses and insurance companies trying to discriminate against their employees or policyholders based on personal health information are known. 

If you are in doubt of taking a genetic test because of this - from fear of the practical consequences of having a genetic disease - know that the law protects you against any discrimination.
In the US, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, also known as GINA, is a federal law that protects against discrimination, on the basis of genetic information, by health insurers and employers. It does not cover, however, life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance.

GINA guarantees the minimum of protection, but many states had passed laws against genetic discrimination with different levels of protection. For more information see .

In Europe, protection against genetic discrimination is guaranteed by the 1997, Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine , which states that any form of discrimination against a person on the grounds of his or her genetic heritage, is prohibited. Most European states have signed the Oviedo convention, creating national legislation to apply for this protection.