Really Small Private Parts

In a move thought to be the first for a major corporation, IBM has revised its equal opportunity policy to include protection of the genetic privacy of its employees . In an email sent to employees today, IBM's Chairman and CEO Samuel J. Palmisano stated,

"...It has been IBM's long-standing policy not to discriminate against people because of their heritage or who they are. A person's genetic makeup may be the most fundamental expression of both. So, we are taking this step today because it is the right thing to do -- for the sake of the innovation that lies just over the horizon, and because it is entirely consistent with our values and with who we are as a company."

This is an extremely forward thinking policy. (Thanks, KK).

And it will help preclude the nefarious use of genetic data to influence hiring decisions. Imagine this scenario: You're interviewing for a programming job, and the prospective employer stealthily scans the details of your DNA. He notes that you have a genetic propensity for acute schizophrenia. He looks at you and says, "I'm sorry, but I can't give you a job as a programmer. Would you like to work in Management?"

OK, bad example.

Link to IBM gene privacy story here.