What does GINA Mean? A Guide to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
This tool provides a functional outline of GINA’s protections to help clarify how the legislation impacts individuals and families. The resource includes:
• hypothetical situations of genetic discrimination, and
• key examples and definitions.
The Coalition for Genetic Fairness encourages individuals to utilize the guide to answer general questions. Organizations are welcome to put the guide on their website, link to it, or adapt and customize it for your community.
This guide is intended to promote dialogue and discussion about GINA and does not include detailed analysis of the legislation. Additional information about GINA’s implementation and impact will be clarified as the regulations for GINA’s enforcement are drafted. This process has begun. For example, a Request for Information (RFI) has been issued to solicit comments from the public. More information can be found here.
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GINA: An Overview
The History of GINA
Health Insurance
• Protections in GINA
• What about submitting claims to my health insurance company?
• What does GINA NOT do?
Employment
• Protections in GINA
• Under what circumstances can an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program have access to my genetic information?
• What efforts must be made to ensure my information is kept confidential?
• What does GINA NOT do?
Examples of Genetic Discrimination
For Employers
For Clinicians or Healthcare Providers
For Researchers
For States
What's Next?
Helpful Definitions Additional Resources
Do you have a question about GINA that was not answered by this resource? Send your question to Andria Cornell, Public Policy Program Assistant, at acornell@geneticalliance.org.
