By Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.)* When scientists started the process of sequencing the human genome, it began to unlock limitless advancements in medicine that were and remain virtually unparalleled in our history. At the same time, a new risk arose that genetic information could be used for employment and health insurance discrimination. Every American was a potential victim; none of us were born with perfect genes. No one should be forced to live in fear that their genetic information …
Privacy Uber Alles?
By Charles McGonigal Andreas Lubitz was medically unfit to work when he apparently crashed the Germanwings flight last Tuesday, according to a doctor’s note found in Lubitz’ apartment. Why? Nobody knows. Germanwings, as his employer, would not know because German law allows these declarations to be written without a diagnosis or reason, to protect the patient’s privacy. I say “would not know,” because Germanwings appears not to have known about the declaration. The doctor cannot even share the …