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Britain Allows Insurance to Use Genetics Tests

Wed, 11/08/2000 - 1:00am — Karen Stevenson
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The Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC) of the British Department of Health announced that genetic tests for Huntington's Disease can be used by insurance companies when assessing applications for life insurance. The Association of British Insurers is trying to have the policy extended to include testing for Alzheimer?s and breast and ovarian cancer. Patients will not be required to have testing performed, but they will have to disclose results if tested in the past. If a patient refuses to disclose results, insurers can either deny or charge much higher fees for coverage. Critics in the UK view the policy as discriminatory and have expressed concern over the government?s plan to expand the practice.

Professor John Durant, Chairman of GAIC said, "Genetic test results are already used in certain circumstances by insurers and the Committee was asked to look at the reliability and accuracy of the genetic test for Huntingdon's Disease...This decision will mean that those with a negative test result will not be asked to pay more for life insurance because of their family history of Huntington's disease...Many who have a family history of a genetic disorder such as Huntington's Disease have difficulty in obtaining insurance because of their family history. The approval of the two tests for Huntington's Disease will allow insurance to be provided at normal rates to those who have a normal test result."

The Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC) of the British Department of Health announced that genetic tests for Huntington's Disease can be used by insurance companies when assessing applications for life insurance. The Association of British Insurers is trying to have the policy extended to include testing for Alzheimer?s and breast and ovarian cancer. Patients will not be required to have testing performed, but they will have to disclose results if tested in the past. If a patient refuses to disclose results, insurers can either deny or charge much higher fees for coverage. Critics in the UK view the policy as discriminatory and have expressed concern over the government?s plan to expand the practice.

Professor John Durant, Chairman of GAIC said, "Genetic test results are already used in certain circumstances by insurers and the Committee was asked to look at the reliability and accuracy of the genetic test for Huntingdon's Disease...This decision will mean that those with a negative test result will not be asked to pay more for life insurance because of their family history of Huntington's disease...Many who have a family history of a genetic disorder such as Huntington's Disease have difficulty in obtaining insurance because of their family history. The approval of the two tests for Huntington's Disease will allow insurance to be provided at normal rates to those who have a normal test result."