We are happy to report that the President will be signing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) into law this Wednesday, May 21st. However, there are no plans for any signing ceremony and only a few individuals that were key to passing the legislation will be present.

That struck me as odd. This is the first piece of forward-looking civil rights legislation the US has ever passed. It will be key to moving forward with personalized medicine and will prevent discrimination based on inherited traits. One would think the administration would clamor for the opportunity to point out the importance of such legislation and perhaps grab a headline or two to boost the President’s sagging approval ratings. Nonetheless, this is fantastic news and the President should be commended for his long-term support of the bill.