(Bloomberg News distributed the following article on June 24.)
LONDON — The U.K. government may allow companies to screen workers and potential recruits for genetic disorders and diseases, Health Secretary John Reid said.
Reid was announcing to parliament in London a 50 million- pound ($83 million) package of investment in genetic medical research. As part of a review of policy on the issue, ministers will investigate the issues involved in allowing companies to access individuals’ genetic records, he said.
“There may be important occupational health and safety benefits from appropriate use of genetic information,” Reid wrote in an open letter to the government’s Human Genetic Commission, a body of experts that had cautioned against letting companies access genetic data.
Under existing U.K. law, companies are forbidden from using genetic information to influence their treatment of serving or potential staff, technology which may allow them to avoid employing people with conditions that later require costly health care, or to dispute claims of industrial injury.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., the second-largest U.S. railroad, in 2001 carried out genetic tests on 36 workers who claimed injuries from carpal tunnel syndrome, which can cause hand and wrist pain.
The tests sparked a legal challenge from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which sued the railroad, claiming violation of anti-discrimination laws. The company settled the suit last year, paying $2.2 million.
The Department of Health said that since the government is investigating the possible merits and risks of genetic testing, it would be “inappropriate” either to rule in or rule out options such as a continued ban on companies accessing genetic data.
The department also confirmed that the U.K.’s moratorium on U.K. insurance companies using genetic data when setting premiums for customers will remain. The ban was put in place in 2001, and will run until 2006.