Genetic Discrimination in the Military

In the civilian world, it's illegal to deny health coverage or disability benefits on the basis of genetic information. In the U.S. military, that's business as usual.

"You could be in the military and be a six-pack-a-day smoker, and if you come down with emphysema, 'That's OK. We've got you covered,' " said Kathy Hudson, director of the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University."But if you happen to have a disease where there is an identified genetic contribution, you are screwed."

The *Los Angeles Times *-- hands down the best daily science desk in the nation -- has the full rundown on this shameful situation. The policy was originally designed to keep people who knew they'd become ill from using the military for free care, but it's ended up affecting people like this gunship pilot who retired after being grounded because of a blood clot that developed in her leg during pregnancy:

As part of her medical work-up, doctors discovered she had a genetic mutation for Factor V Leiden, which is found in 5% of Caucasians and increases their risk of developing blood clots.

An Army physical evaluation board, which determines disability benefits, denied her claim because of the mutation.

Her military doctors were stunned since her thrombophlebitis was probably caused by her pregnancy and desk job. They downplayed the role of her mutation because 99% of Factor V Leiden carriers never develop blood clots.

The upshot is that people in the armed services are discouraged by their doctors from taking genetic tests that could save their lives. After all, why get a test when the results could be used against you? It's precisely that situation that anti-genetic discrimination laws are designed to prevent.

U.S. military practices genetic discrimination in denying benefits [Los Angeles Times]

Related coverage: the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is still going through Congress. It'll probably pass, but won't apply to people in the armed services. Maybe it's not too late for an amendment?
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Image: Henrietta Snowden*