Genetic Testing Part 3

Break throughs in medicine lead to greater prevention and cures. But some patients refuse new technology because they fear their privacy is at risk. Mary Jane Zonfrilli put her health above legislation. She wanted to know if she carried the breast cancer gene and her risks of developing cancer. Zonfrilli says "Personally, thats why I feel like thats why we have research, thats what this is all about so if somebody can benefit from this, its amazing." Zonfrilli was proactive about her risk and underwent a prophylactic mascectomy and hysterectomy. Certified genetic counselor Jennifer Burton says those procedures are more commonly covered by insurance. Burton says "Generally, the criteria arent that strict, breast cancer under 50, multiple family members with breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer. So most of the patients we see, we can get coverage from." But if you report it to your insurance company, some patients fear the information could be used to deny them coverage in the future. Burton says: "Now theres both federal and state laws that protect the patients that say they cant discriminate against their genetic testing, cannot be considered a pre-existing condition." The U-S House of Represenentatives just passed GINAs Bill in April. It prohibits using genetic testing in hiring and health insurance decisions. The legislation must evolve with time. Research now is delving into genetic causes of colon cancer and more genetic links are yet to be discovered. Burton says: "Even with breast cancer, theres still a lot of work to do. We have br-ca 1 & 2. Theres probably 3 & 4 out there too and thats what the researchers are doing." Genetic counselors say they see a day when medicine becomes more pro-active than reactionary to diseases The GINA Bill had its second reading in the Senate and is currently on its legislative calendar. If approved by the U-S Senate... President Bush says he will sign it into law.