The Good: Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are finally waking up to the real dangers that have evolved with the evolution of science and technology. Where do these dangers lay? In new-age discrimination that’s where. Technology’s advance has led to the invention and wide spread use of genetic testing. Genetic testing can pinpoint a person’s likelihood of contracting various diseases and defects. While these may seem like great resources for people, they can and have become the new frontier for discrimination in the workplace. Why hire an employee likely to get cancer? This employee would most likely cost you money in lost wage and would up insurance payments, so why hire them?

These are exactly the types of thoughts that Congress is trying to prevent. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act will be voted on tomorrow (Thursday) and will make it illegal for employers to deny potential candidates jobs based on genetic testing results. The act is expected to be green lighted through both houses and through the White House. YAY!

The Bad (and Painful): You have probably seen the commercials for those ridiculously high pitched cell phone ring tones. They are usually marketed exclusively to teens and young adults who still have the ability to hear these high tones. What was once a novelty tune has now been turned into a painful torture device for teens. A company has created PA boxes that broadcast the high pitched whine that torments teens. Many laude the device’s ability to clear out teenagers who may be loitering in an area. Others say that systems like these placed outside apartment buildings help to deter theft.

My opinion? This is ageism in one of its purist forms. If we had senior citizen deterrents, would that be right? I really don’t think that most people think beyond the here and now. Yes, that device mounted in front of your building may keep teenaged criminals away, but now you are slowly driving the teens that live in your building crazy. This is in no way fair and should be taken down with production halted immediately. Something for our older readers to consider: this lovely sound is akin to taking finger nails and dragging them down an infinitely long chalk board. Would you want to hear this?