Workplace Privacy and Discrimination Issues Related to Genetic Data: A Comparative Law Study of the European Union and the United States

摘要

Previous studies of the policy and legal issues related to advances in genetic science and the workplace have focused on the desirability of regulating employers' access, use, and disclosure of genetic information about employees. These studies advocate a privacy approach that seeks to protect employees' rights to autonomy and control of personal information. Other studies have focused on the need to regulate unfair uses of genetic information and genetic testing by employers. Essentially, both approaches are correct because they address important policy issues related to the workplace. As a matter of public policy, both privacy and non-discrimination are essential policy goals for legislation on the topic of workplace privacy and nondiscrimination and effective legislation needs to address both goals simultaneously.