Scientific and technological developments have made it possible to test human DNA for the presence of abnormalities associated with some inherited disorders. This genetic information may become part of an individual’s medical record, creating the potential for discrimination in employment, insurance purchase, and other areas. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act have provisions intended to protect individuals from genetic discrimination, but the healthcare industry and societal influences threaten individuals’ genetic privacy. At the same time, healthcare reform and the movement to identify the most effective medical treatments have resulted in increased interest in secondary use of individuals’ medical information, including genetic information. Through a literature review, this paper examines how data privacy, data security, and electronic health records have influenced the current understanding of genetic privacy