Comments on: HR and the Human Genome http://www.jeitosa.com/blog/2009/02/25/hr-and-the-human-genome/ Making Global Business Possible Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:45:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ian Turnbull http://www.jeitosa.com/blog/2009/02/25/hr-and-the-human-genome/comment-page-1/#comment-8632 Ian Turnbull Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:16:06 +0000 http://www.jeitosa.com/blog/2009/02/25/hr-and-the-human-genome/#comment-8632 HEADLINE: IBM promises it will not use genetic information in its employment decisions. Late in 2005 IBM CEO Palmisano stated: “During our lifetimes, the practice of medicine and society's approach to healthcare have changed in fundamental ways. But what lies ahead — perhaps in the next decade alone — seems likely to eclipse that progress dramatically,” While work in genetics is “enormously promising,” it “raises very significant issues, especially in the areas of privacy and security.” The company said consideration of the policy change started long before IBM began working with National Geographic on the Genographic Project and is unrelated (okay, I guess that I buy that, but .....) My observation is this. In order for IBM to publicly state that it would NOT use genetic information in its employment decisions, it presumably first went through the exercise of considering that it would and/or should do just that. In 2005. Now in 2009 the work on the genome has progressed much further. There WILL be employers that decide to use this information. Almost certainly the government will, either for employees or citizens at large. And insurance companies; one shudders to think. NO-ONE is exempt from this. By definition we all have genetic disposition to physical characteristics, including propensity to disease and death. We need definitive laws protecting the right of each person to full privacy in this regard. And since a direct relative's genetic makeup can also reveal the probability of your own we need to put in place rigorous safeguards. Now, before the genie is out of the bottle (and I suspect that she is already half way). HEADLINE: IBM promises it will not use genetic information in its employment decisions.

Late in 2005 IBM CEO Palmisano stated: “During our lifetimes, the practice of medicine and society’s approach to healthcare have changed in fundamental ways. But what lies ahead — perhaps in the next decade alone — seems likely to eclipse that progress dramatically,” While work in genetics is “enormously promising,” it “raises very significant issues, especially in the areas of privacy and security.”

The company said consideration of the policy change started long before IBM began working with National Geographic on the Genographic Project and is unrelated (okay, I guess that I buy that, but …..)

My observation is this. In order for IBM to publicly state that it would NOT use genetic information in its employment decisions, it presumably first went through the exercise of considering that it would and/or should do just that. In 2005. Now in 2009 the work on the genome has progressed much further. There WILL be employers that decide to use this information. Almost certainly the government will, either for employees or citizens at large. And insurance companies; one shudders to think.

NO-ONE is exempt from this. By definition we all have genetic disposition to physical characteristics, including propensity to disease and death.

We need definitive laws protecting the right of each person to full privacy in this regard. And since a direct relative’s genetic makeup can also reveal the probability of your own we need to put in place rigorous safeguards. Now, before the genie is out of the bottle (and I suspect that she is already half way).

]]> By: Grant http://www.jeitosa.com/blog/2009/02/25/hr-and-the-human-genome/comment-page-1/#comment-8434 Grant Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:12:27 +0000 http://www.jeitosa.com/blog/2009/02/25/hr-and-the-human-genome/#comment-8434 The issue of genome screening reminds me of the 1997 film Gattaca, which was science fiction at the time, but has now landed on our doorstep. It seems as though if we can think it, we can achieve it, eventually. Maybe that's a mixed blessing. And speaking of genomics, superbabies are no longer the subject of science fiction, according to this article published just yesterday: http://singularityhub.com/2009/02/25/designer-babies-like-it-or-not-here-they-come/ Of course, if the 2009 film 'Transcendent Man' comes true, as Gattaca sort of has, then employee screening might take on a whole different angle in 2029, if indeed, employees are still necessary. Here's Transcendent Man's trailer for your edification and viewing pleasure: http://transcendentman.com/ Lastly, I hope the weather will improve sufficiently for us to enjoy the fruits of these technology advances: http://planetark.org/wen/51788 The issue of genome screening reminds me of the 1997 film Gattaca, which was science fiction at the time, but has now landed on our doorstep. It seems as though if we can think it, we can achieve it, eventually. Maybe that’s a mixed blessing. And speaking of genomics, superbabies are no longer the subject of science fiction, according to this article published just yesterday:
http://singularityhub.com/2009/02/25/designer-babies-like-it-or-not-here-they-come/

Of course, if the 2009 film ‘Transcendent Man’ comes true, as Gattaca sort of has, then employee screening might take on a whole different angle in 2029, if indeed, employees are still necessary. Here’s Transcendent Man’s trailer for your edification and viewing pleasure: http://transcendentman.com/

Lastly, I hope the weather will improve sufficiently for us to enjoy the fruits of these technology advances: http://planetark.org/wen/51788

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