What is Genetic-based Discrimination?

Genetic-based discrimination, a recently emerged form of discrimination, is the unequal or biased treatment of employees by their employers due to a genetic mutation that may further cause genetic disorders in the rest of the employees. Genetic discrimination arises out of fear of spreading genetic illnesses from the genetically-mutated to the rest of the population, and genetic mutation is the root cause of the discrimination.

While some employers prescribe genetic testing on the pretext of detection of diseases in an affected employee, even some of the most advanced and prescribed methods of testing cannot predict the development cycle of symptoms and their timings. Moreover, genetic tests aren’t entirely safe and reliable, and cannot guarantee protection of genetically-mutated employees.

There are various employment laws that forbid genetic discrimination based on genetic characteristics for all types and aspects of employment which include hiring, pay, assignment of work, appraisal, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, etc.