What is the regulatory framework governing genetic discrimination in Canada?
In Canada, there are no existing legal documents specifically prohibiting genetic discrimination. • Article 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees equality and grants each person the right to not be subjected to discrimination. However, this Charter does not apply to the disputes between individuals. It applies only to state actors. • The Canadian Human Rights Act protects individuals against discrimination based on disability (Art. 3) and could therefore protect individuals whose genetic information reveals the risk of disease. • The Tri-Council Policy Statement recognizes that the risks of discrimination are a part of the risks related to participation in genetic research. Researchers who are carrying out genetic research should reveal possible risks to research ethics boards and participants.
