The Commission for Protection against Discrimination started an investigation because of genetic examinations that are being conveyed in the Sofian hospital “Mother’s Home”. The first meeting on the issue was on Friday. A report of the vice-chairperson, Lalo Kamenov, of the commission signaled for the irregularities. It is about the so-called prenatal chromosome diagnostics, explained Kamenov who found out about the problem from a couple from Stara Zagora. In order the couple to undergo such a diagnostic, the future parents have to fill in a number of data, including a question of ethnic origin. The couple from Stara Zagora found themselves in an utter confusion because the man is from Roma origin, while the woman is an American citizen. According to Kamenov, this is a form of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and human genome. From the hospital came the explaination that their attempts to collect such data are not bad because in some ethnic groups there are specific illnesses that are transmitted genetically. That is why it is good to see whether there are such risks for the baby.

However, there are parents who do not wish to mention their origin, claims Kamenov. The man from the couple that signaled for the problem hasn’t mentioned that he is Roma as well. Furthermore, if a partner of such a couple understands that there is a possibility for the other one to have specific illnesses for this ethnos, she or he can distance himself or herself from that particular partner.

A year ago, the Commission also found out about discrimination practices in the foster homes as well. The principles were obliged to fill in the forms the ethnicity of the children judging from their appearance. The Commission forbid this practice after it prepared a report and recommendations.

Compiled from: Actualno.com - 27.01.2009