Burton Blatt Institute to co-host conference on genetic discrimination

The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University will co-host a conference on “Genetic Discrimination – Transatlantic Perspectives on the Case for a European-Level Legal Response.” Sponsored in partnership with the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, this one-day event will take place Nov. 19 in Galway, Ireland.

Conference participants will discuss the case for legal and policy measures to protect the privacy of genetic information, with the goal of preventing genetic discrimination in employment and insurance contexts. As there is currently no European-level regulation of this nature, speakers will examine the ethical considerations arising as a result of rapid advancements in genetic science and the potential implications for the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Meera Adya, BBI director of research, will present on “The GINA Act in Context and its Effectiveness So Far.” The GINA Act, or Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, provides federal protection from genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment. Other expert panelists include Noel Lowndes of the Centre for Chromosome Biology at NUI, Galway; Javier Romanach Cabrero, social activist and member of the Independent Living and Diversity Forum; and Marian Harkin, member of the European Parliament.

The Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI, Galway, is a research institute dedicated to informing the debate on national and international disability law reform.