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Self-Reported Genetic Discrimination: Experiences from a Large National Sample of Working Adults
Public Health Genomics
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Fourteen percent of working adults reported genetic discrimination (GD) experiences, particularly in healthcare and employment settings. Younger individuals, racial/ethnic minorities, and those with prior genetic testing or disease history were more likely to report GD.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Growing accessibility of genetic testing outside clinical settings, such as direct-to-consumer and workplace genetic testing (wGT), raises concerns about genetic discrimination (GD).
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of self-reported GD is crucial for developing effective protective measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of self-reported genetic discrimination (GD) among working adults.
- To identify demographic and experiential factors associated with increased likelihood of reporting GD.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 2,000 working adults across diverse occupations and sectors.
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to examine predictors of self-reported GD.
Main Results:
- 14% of respondents reported experiencing GD, with higher occurrences in healthcare/medicine (47.3%) and employment/workplace (45.5%) settings.
- Factors associated with higher odds of reporting GD included younger age, identifying as Black/non-Hispanic or Hispanic/Latino, personal disease history, prior genetic testing (including wGT), and awareness of genetic antidiscrimination laws.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported GD is a significant concern, disproportionately affecting certain demographic groups and individuals with a history of genetic testing or disease.
- Further research is needed to distinguish self-reported experiences from legally defined GD instances.
- Enhanced education for medical providers and employers on genetic antidiscrimination laws and protections is recommended, especially for those offering wGT.
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