Louise M. Slaughter National DNA Day Lecture

Louis M. Slaughter was a strong advocate for genomics research, and her work on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) helped to create protections against genetic discrimination with health insurance and employment. These protections allow patients and research participants to undergo genetic and genomic testing without fear that their results will be used to affect their job or access to health insurance. She was also responsible for passing a 2003 concurrent resolution in the House of Representatives that created National DNA Day, which celebrates the completion of the Human Genome Project and the anniversary of the discovery of DNA's iconic structure, the double helix.

As one of the longest-serving leaders of the House of Representatives, Rep. Slaughter was a dedicated public servant. She broke barriers by becoming the first woman to chair the House Rules Committee and was also the only microbiologist in Congress. She received a bachelor's degree in microbiology and a master's degree in public health from the University of Kentucky.