ATTEMPTS in the US to ban genetic discrimination in insurance and employment have hit a speed bump. After 12 years of political wrangling, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was poised to pass a Senate vote last week – until Oklahoma Republican senator Tom Coburn suddenly moved to block the bill.
Of late politicians have found common ground in the legislation, which in April passed the House of Representatives by 420 votes to 3. Coburn had recently demanded a number of amendments, including a provision guaranteeing fetuses and embryos the same protections as adults. Fellow lawmakers granted these concessions, and Coburn’s…
