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BIO Policy Statement Regarding the Prohibition of
Discriminatory Use of Medical Information
Approved by BIO Board of Directors,
March 1999
The members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) represent the combined efforts of thousands of men and women striving to use the most advanced biomedical technologies to improve the health and well being of all people around the world. We deplore any discriminatory practices that may lead people to avoid obtaining information about their current or prospective health status that could be important, perhaps vital, to their well being for fear that others may improperly use this information.
We support efforts to prohibit the improper use of all medical information. Genetic information is an integral part of medical information and cannot be separated from it. If it is determined that new safeguards should be established to secure this goal, BIO urges legislators to implement policies at a national level in order to provide a unified framework of laws and regulations, rather than a patchwork of complex and potentially conflicting state laws. Any efforts to prohibit the improper use of information should also ensure that legitimate and beneficial uses of such information are safeguarded.
BIO recognizes that there is great public concern about the potential for discriminatory misuse of medical information in all areas of life, including health insurance, employment, education and general societal interactions. The Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and other laws address many of these complex issues. If consensus develops that there is a need to change current law, BIO would support taking steps to ensure enactment of complementary protections to benefit consumers and promote biomedical research to advance the health of humankind.
This statement complements BIO's position to protect the privacy of all medical information. For more information about BIO and our bioethics activities, please contact us at (202) 857-0244 or access our web page at www.bio.org.
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