President praises Kennedy role in genetic non-discrimination law

President Bush, just before signing into law a bill barring discrimination based on genetic testing, paid homage this afternoon to a lawmaker not standing behind his Oval Office desk: Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who Bush said had worked on the legislation for a decade.

The law, Kennedy's latest achievement in healthcare, bans employers and insurance companies from denying employment, promotions, or healthcare coverage to people when genetic tests show they are susceptible to diseases such as cancer.

Bush said he was pleased that Kennedy went home today. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," the president said.

Science groups and privacy advocates praised the bill's signing.

"Individuals no longer have to worry about being discriminated against on the basis of their genetic information, and with this assurance, the promise of genetic testing and disease management and prevention can be realized more fully,” Sharon Terry, president of the Coalition and CEO of Genetic Alliance, said in a statement. “We applaud our champions on the Hill who have worked tirelessly to pass this important legislation. It is now our responsibility to make sure the public knows that these new protections are in place.”

Added Caroline Fredrickson, director of the the American Civil Liberty Union’s Washington legislative office: “We are heartened that a dark cloud has been lifted by enactment of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. GINA will enable Americans to use genetic tests to illuminate their health care decisions without fear of workplace retribution.”