Genetic screening for hypersusceptibles in industry

Abstract

The identification of individuals at increased risk to toxic substances in the workplace has developed into a major issue amongst OSHA, industrial management, and labor. What is needed is the development of a consistent philosophy which is designed to deal with the issues of genetic screening, job placement, and protection of high risk groups with appropriate federal exposure standards. Present evidence does not justify the use of programs designed to identify individuals with hereditary conditions (e.g., G-6-PD deficiency, sickle cell trait) for job denial and/or transfer.