German government drafts legislation to allow genetic tests in employment 25/10/04. By the Public Health Genetics Unit As part of a package of measures addressing genetic engineering and biotechnology, the German government has drafted legislation to allow employers to require job seekers to take genetic tests.

This move has raised concerns with the German National Ethics Council which worries that this could take Germans down the 'slippery slope' towards a more widespread use of genetic tests required for job seekers, potentially leading to discrimination in work and the inability to get insurance or other benefits.

The government counters that this legislation would not open the way for routine genetic testing. The tests would be confined to identifying people for whom a genetic disorder might adversely affect their ability to perform a specific job.

However, this is not the first time this issue has arisen in Germany. In 2003, a German teacher was refused a permanent position after being identified as being at risk for Huntington's disease, based on a family history of the condition. Her employer claimed that she might have a higher rate of absenteeism and increased medical bills if she did develop the disease and was therefore denied the position. She has pursued the case in court. Germany's current employment practices prohibit discrimination on the grounds of genetic make-up.

Article courtesy of the Public Health Genetics Unit .

Further reading

British Medical Journal news article