Genetic Testing

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Conference
2002 National Disabled Members' Conference
Date
3 July 2002
Decision
Carried as Amended

“Conference 2001 Genetic Testing and Employment

This Conference deplores the use of genetic testing in the workplace to determine presence or predisposition of impairment.

The use of genetic testing is a medically based measure that seeks to establish value systems that disadvantage disabled people. It may be used by employers to discriminate in areas of employment such as recruitment selection and promotion procedures. Further, the outcomes of genetic testing can influence health care strategy and insurance companies charging systems.

We are concerned that the introduction of genetic testing could result in significant deterioration in rights to equal access, and affect disabled people’s position in society.

Conference instructs the National Disabled Members’ Committee (NDMC) to work with the National Black Members’ Committee and National Executive Council to campaign forcefully through appropriate labour organisations including the Scottish Trade Union Congress, Wales Trade Union Congress and Irish Congress of Trade Unions to oppose any initiatives to promote genetic testing in our members’ workplaces.”

Conference recognises that this issue was not identified as one of the National Disabled Members’ Committee’s four priorities for 2001/2002 but asks the NDMC to consider this issue as priority in its 2002/2003 work programme and take the following actions:

1)Return a full report on progress made on this motion to National Disabled Members’ Conference 2003;

2)Publicise the action being taken with regard to this matter to regional and branch disabled members’ groups;

3)Continue to campaign forcefully on this issue in conjunction with the labour organisations listed in the original motion.