You no longer have to worry about keeping your genes a secret, thanks to a new law that protects the use of genetic information. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, signed by President Bush in May, makes it illegal for insurers and employers to discriminate against people with genetic markers for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. The new measure prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to or raising rates based on genetic information, and it prevents employers from using that data to make decisions on hiring, firing, and promotions.

The bill, strongly supported by the American Diabetes Association, comes at a time when genetic breakthroughs—including the discovery of several new genes linked to diabetes—are in an upswing. Yet many people concerned about discrimination have passed up testing that could predict and prevent a number of diseases. (In the case of diabetes, practical applications of such testing are years away, but the potential for future discrimination has been a cause for concern.)

“In the past, people have been afraid to get tested,” says Sharon Terry, president of the advocacy group Genetic Alliance, which promoted the bill for 13 years. Now, she says, “individuals will be more free to be screened, to be tested, and participate in clinical trials.” The plan’s insurance portion will go into effect on May 21, 2009, one year after the bill was signed, and the employment portion will take effect six months later, on Nov. 21, 2009. “[People] are living in a time when they can take advantage of all of technology and do the best for their families and their health,” says Terry.