We will soon have genetic testing with greater freedom from discrimination. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) has passed the Senate and is expected to be passed by the House and signed into law.

Here’s why that is great news from the eco-health point of view:

With the advent of genetc testing comes a wide variety of predictive genetic tests. Some genetic tests, such as the BR-CA1 or 2 genes can provide a background predisposition in some people for breast cancer, but only affect a small percentage of the population.

On the other hand, one group of tests in particular gives information about individual ability to detoxify a variety of chemicals as well as provide anti-oxidant protection. Testing this group gives more of a predictive picture about things that an individual potentially has some control over.

These genes affect a much larger proportion of the population and give information about how an individual person’s detoxification chemistry works. For example, the glutathione s-transferase gene (GST) has several subtypes. The GSTM1 subtype is absent in up to 50% of the population. This is clearly not a “diseased” gene, but rather a simple variation of normal.

Research is finding that there is an interplay between the absence of GSTM1 (null), or reduction of the GSTT1 or GSTP1 genes, and the ability to detoxify a variety of toxins - from air pollution to pesticides. People with missing GSTM1 appear to be more susceptible to asthma, for instance, as the “symptom” of that inability, when placed in an environment they can’t compensate for.

Up until now, the freedom to use predictive genetic testing for individualized medicine has been hampered by the fear of being denied health insurance or by work issues.

While the expected passage of this law will not prevent insurance denial for pre-existing conditions, it will help give us freedom to pursue truly individualized health knowledge and health care.

We’re all for that.

What do you think?

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