La European Trade Union Confederation, in occasione di una giornata di studi tenutasi sul tema a Bruxells, ha richiesta alla CE la [color=blue][b]proibizione degli screening genetici[/color][/b] nei luoghi di lavoro europei. Gli screening, che vengono effettuati in più di 6000 aziende negli Stati Uniti, sono già stati proibiti in Austria, Belgio e Finlandia.
Analogo parere era stato espresso in una pubblicazione del 28 luglio scorso dal Gruppo Europeo per l\'Etica nelle Scienze e le Tecnologie.
Bd du Roi Albert II, 5 - 1210 Brussels - Belgium - Press Sec : +3222240431 - E-mail :EDUCARME@ETUC.ORG - Http://www.etuc.org
CONFEDERATION EUROPEENNE DES SYNDICATS l EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION l EUROPÄISHER GEWERKSCHAFTSBUND l DEN EUROPEISKEFAGLIGE SAMORGANISASJON
ETUC:Nothing justifies a genetic screening compared to risks at work.
On the occasion of the study's day organised in Brussels on the susceptibility of
genetic in the professional environment, the European Trade Union Confederation
calls for the prohibition of genetic screening in the workplace. ETUC considers that the
directive, prepared by the Commission, on workers personal data protection should
clearly state this prohibition.
Today, genetic testing in the workplace does not constitute a reality in the majority of
the European companies. On the other hand, it knew a certain popularity in the
United States where, according to a survey carried out in 1997 by the American
Management Association, more than 6.000 companies would practise it.
Its implications are to reduce effort for a collective prevention to occupational hazards
in particular in the chemical field and to introduce discriminations amongs workers
according to certain genetic characteristics. The United States' experience shows that
genetic screening could lead to indirect forms of racial discrimination.
From the prevention point of view, nothing justifies a genetic screening compared to
risks at work.
In the European Union, some countries such as Austria, Belgium and Finland have
already prohibited genetic screening in the workplace.
The European group on ethics in sciences and new technologies published on July 28,
2003 its opinion on the ethical aspects of genetics in the workplaceThis opinion
expresses a very clear opposition to genetic testing.
The European Trade Union Confederation wants the European Institutions to come to a
clear conclusion about this question and to adopt a Commission's legislation ensuring
the protection of workers in this field.
Brussels, October 29, 2003