[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 73 (Friday, May 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R 493, the 
``Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007.''
  This bill will protect people from discrimination in securing health 
insurance or employment based on their genetic make-up. Such 
discrimination is wrong and should not be tolerated. I am proud to 
support a bill that would outlaw it. I applaud Representative Slaughter 
and Representative Biggert for their hard work in bringing this bill to 
the floor today.
  During consideration of H.R 493 by the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce, of which I am a member, a concern was raised by 
Representative Stupak. The concern related to genetic discrimination 
dealing with embryos or fetuses, as well as adopted children and those 
in the process of being adopted. Like Representative Stupak, I do not 
want to allow insurance companies to use genetic information to 
discriminate. Period.
  I worked out language with Representative Stupak to amend H.R. 493, 
which addressed his concerns in a mutually acceptable way. This 
language says that individuals cannot be discriminated against as a 
result of genetic information gleaned prior to birth. It further says 
that women cannot be discriminated against as a result of the genetic 
information of a fetus, embryo, adopted child, or child they are in the 
process of adopting. At the same time, it does not create a new legal 
status or convey new legal rights to fetuses or embryos. Thus, I feel 
it provides the proper balance between providing protections from 
genetic discrimination while not addressing other non-germane issues.
  The compromise language was adopted by the full Committee on Energy 
and Commerce without objection during its consideration of H.R. 493. I 
am pleased that this language is included in the bill we are 
considering on the floor today.
  I encourage all Members to support H.R. 493 and I look forward to its 
soon becoming law.

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