GENETIC SCREENING FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES1,2

A growing body of genetic research suggests that individuals with various genetic conditions are hypersusceptible to toxins in the work environment, thereby increasing their likelihood of contracting occupational diseases. Genetic screening in the employment context involves identification of such hypersusceptible individuals to enable selective placement of new hires or incumbents on the basis of the genetic information. In this paper, the status of genetic screening devices is evaluated against standard testing and legal criteria. Unique features of genetic tests are identified and their policy implications are discussed.