The U.S. Senate last week unanimously approved legislation to bar health insurers and employers from discriminating against people with a genetic predisposition to disease. Sponsors said a growing understanding of the human genetic code created a need for protections to make sure scientific breakthroughs were used to promote health, not discrimination.

The bill prevents health insurers from excluding people from coverage or charging them higher rates due to a genetic risk or predisposition to a disease. Insurers could not require customers to take genetic tests.

Employers would be barred from making hiring or firing decisions based on genetic information. The measure covers public and private health plans, employers, employment agencies, labor organizations and training programs. It also tightens protections on the privacy of medical information.

The Senate passed nearly identical legislation in 2003, but it died in the House of Representatives.