Loading
U.S. Bishops Conference
Cardinal says genetic testing legislation should be amended
Rigali warns that new bill could lead to rejection of children with disabililites

Washington D.C., Feb 14, 2007 / 09:11 am (CNA).- Cardinal Justin Rigali called on Congress to correct an “unfortunate and apparently unintentional loophole” in the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (H.R. 493), which might discourage parents from adopting or bearing children with disabilities.

The legislation is designed to prevent employers and health insurance companies from discriminating against individuals and their families, based on the results of genetic tests.

However, Cardinal Rigali explained that the bill seems not to address discrimination against families based on the pre-implantation or prenatal genetic testing of their child, or genetic testing performed on an adoptive child before an adoption is completed.

Rigali, who serves as Archbishop of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, expressed his concerns in a letter to the House Education and Labor Committee, which is expected to work on the legislation this week.

The Cardinal warns that, given the current bill, an insurance company may misuse knowledge of a child’s genetic defect to raise a woman’s premiums, cancel her insurance, or even pressure her to have an abortion or cancel adoption plans for a child with special needs, because the company does not wish to cover the additional needs of a child who will develop an illness or disability.

“The most fundamental and destructive form of such discrimination would be to use such information to seek to prevent a family from accepting a child with special needs into their lives,” the Cardinal wrote. “I urge you to amend H.R. 493 to make it clear that such invidious discrimination will not be permitted.” 

RESOURCES »

Feb
12

Liturgical Calendar

February 12, 2012

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

All readings:
Today »
This year »

Catholic Daily

Gospel of the Day

Mk 1,40-45

Gospel
Date
Mk 1,40-45
02/12/12
Mk 8,1-10
02/11/12
Mk 7,31-37
02/10/12

Daily Readings


First Reading:: Lev 13:1-2, 44-46
Psalm:: Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11
Second Reading:: 1 Cor 10:31-11:1
Gospel:: Mk 1:40-45

Saint of the Day

St. Julian the Hospitaller »

Saint
Date
St. Julian the Hospitaller
02/12/12
Our Lady of Lourdes
02/11/12
St. Scholastica
02/10/12

Homily of the Day

Mk 1,40-45

Homily
Date
Mk 1,40-45
02/12/12
Mk 8,1-10
02/11/12
Mk 7,31-37
02/10/12

Most Popular

     HTML
Text only
Headlines
  

Follow us: