Story perspectives

Employers Can Deny Accommodations Based on Polygenic Heart-Attack Risk

6/13/2026

45 7

Summary

Story summary

Law permits employers to deny accommodations for employees whose future heart-attack risk is identified by a polygenic risk score.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act bars firing for genetic test results, while the Americans With Disabilities Act protects only active disabilities and excludes elevated risk predictions.
Harvard Law professor I. Glenn Cohen warned that polygenic risk scoring is outpacing legal rules, leaving users vulnerable.

1 of 1

Story summary

Law permits employers to deny accommodations for employees whose future heart-attack risk is identified by a polygenic risk score.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act bars firing for genetic test results, while the Americans With Disabilities Act protects only active disabilities and excludes elevated risk predictions.
Harvard Law professor I. Glenn Cohen warned that polygenic risk scoring is outpacing legal rules, leaving users vulnerable.