Unanimous vote welcomed by personal genomics companies.

The unanimous vote last week by the US Senate to outlaw discrimination against people on the basis of their genetic information is being celebrated by civil-rights groups, which have long campaigned for the safeguards. Personal-genomics companies are also cracking open the champagne — they have a lot to gain from the bill becoming law.

Once enacted, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) will forbid employers and health insurers from using people's genetic information against them in decisions on hiring, firing, promotion and insurance coverage and pricing. The House of Representatives should pass the legislation this week, after which it is expected to be signed into law by President George W. Bush.