The Genetic Discrimination Observatory (GDO) is a unique network of researchers and other stakeholders dedicated to researching and preventing discrimination based on genomic and other omic data worldwide.

GDO Project Team
International Expert Panel
Consultative Committee
Collaborators
Map View

These FAQs have been developed by the research team to provide general information about genetic discrimination.

If you have been the victim of genetic discrimination and you want to share your story with the GDO.

With the help of our collaborators, the GDO provides several maps representing the state of genetic discrimination in real time around the world.

To accomplish its goal of serving as a comprehensive online resource to monitor and prevent genetic discrimination, the GDO provides access to the following resources: Websites, Policy and guidance documents, Tools and Video clips.

THE OBSERVATORY

  • Genetic Discrimination

    Genetic discrimination involves treating differently and negatively or unfairly profiling an individual relative to the rest of the population on the basis of actual or presumed genetic characteristics.
    Refer to our FAQs for a more extensive definition »

  • GDO: a unique network

    The Genetic Discrimination Observatory (GDO) is a unique network of researchers and other stakeholders dedicated to researching and preventing discrimination based on genomic and other omic data worldwide. The GDO serves as a comprehensive online resource that offers a collaborative platform providing access to information and tools needed to monitor and prevent genetic discrimination.

  • Specfic Aspects of the GDO

    Specific aspects of the GDO include a secure management system; integrated registration for participants; and a database of projects, new developments, and events. Our overall approach is framed by recognized human rights principles including respect for autonomy, dignity, privacy, the right to science, and the right to know/right not to know.

  • Development of the content guided by four principles:

    1. Consultations with key stakeholders for tools, elements and content;
    2. Content is reviewed for relevance and quality;
    3. Lay summaries of all scientific materials made available for non-experts;
    4. Governance structure and decision process are transparent and subject to ethical guidelines and oversight.