**Build support for critical genetic nondiscrimination legislation by contacting your senators and representatives!

GINA Introduced in the 110th Congress!

Given the rapid development of new genetic technologies, discrimination on the basis of genetic information is a problem that threatens to grow exponentially. Tests are currently only available for approximately 1300 genes—genes that are associated with relatively rare conditions. However, that small number will soon reach the thousands. These new tests will allow for the identification of genetic predispositions and susceptibilities to many common health conditions. Knowledge about one’s genes has both the potential to be invaluable to health care delivery and the potential to be susceptible to misuse. Because no one is exempt from this type of discrimination—each of us carries a number of mutated genes—genetic discrimination and the related privacy concerns should be profoundly important to each of us.

Although no laws currently exist to address the potential abuses of this sensitive health information, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was introduced late Tuesday in Congress. This legislation would prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. GINA provides strong, enforceable protections against the misuse of genetic information—the definition of which includes family health history—in both health insurance coverage and employment decisions.

You can help to build support for this important bill by reaching out to your representative and senators and asking them to cosponsor GINA.

This is easy to do:

• Determine your representative and senators and their contact information by entering your zip code at http://www.house.gov and http://www.senate.gov.
  
  
• Tailor your message. You can use the sample below to get started.
  
  
• Contact your representative and senators and tell them that you want them to cosponsor GINA. It's most effective if you do this by phone or email.
  
  
• Email Genetic Alliance and tell them you've taken action. Email policy@geneticalliance.org with the subject line “GINA Cosponsor,” your name, and the names of your elected officials to let us know that you have reached out.

Sample message:

I am writing/calling to ask you to cosponsor the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. This bill protects Americans from the misuse of genetic information in employment and health insurance decisions.

Many Americans forego beneficial testing due to fear that they may be discriminated against from abuse of their genetic information.

Tell your story briefly and why you are personally concerned about this cause.

I hope I can count on ’s support on this important matter.

Thank you.