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OTTAWA — Full Liberal support for proposed national legislation to outlaw genetic discrimination is in doubt over concern it could intrude on provincial control of the health insurance industry.

The constitutional worry surfaced Tuesday at the start of committee hearings on Bill S-201, which would impose criminal liability on employers, insurers and others who discriminate against individuals based on their genetic makeup and predisposition to developing diseases and other illnesses.

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A broader ethical debate is taking shape, too, over whether limits should be placed on what people and companies can do with the discoveries, products and knowledge flowing from the rapid commercialization of genetic science.

Already, there is overwhelming evidence that fears about insurance coverage and costs are discouraging Canadians from taking advantage of a biotechnology capable of tremendous potential health benefits, including targeted health care based on their individual genome.