WASHINGTON (AP):

People learning through genetic testing that they might be susceptible to devastating diseases would not also have to worry about losing their jobs or their health insurance under anti-discrimination legislation the United States Senate passed yesterday.

The 95-0 Senate vote sends the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act back to the House of Representatives, which could approve it early next week.

President George W. Bush supports the legislation. The bill, described by Senator. Edward Kennedy as ''the first major new civil rights bill of the new century,'' would bar health insurance companies from using genetic information to set premiums or determine enrolment eligibility.

Similarly, employers could not use genetic information in hiring, firing or promotion decisions.

"For the first time we act to prevent discrimination before it has taken firm hold and that's why this legislation is unique and groundbreaking,'' said Sen Olympia Snowe, a Republican who sponsored the Senate bill.