The UK government quizzed insurance companies over their use of genetic test results last week. The House of Commons Science and Technology committee met with representatives from Norwich Union, Co-operative Insurance and the Prudential. MPs have expressed concerns that insurers are using test results without the approval of the government's Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC).
Insurers currently follow a voluntary code of practice drawn up by the Association of British Insurers. It states that firms cannot demand that customers take genetic tests, but they can ask to see the results of tests for Huntington Disease (HD), early onset Alzheimer's disease and inherited forms of breast and ovarian cancers. But to date, GAIC has only approved the use of HD genetic test results.
Insurers defended the code at last week's meeting, saying it provided 'flexible' rules for controlling the use of a very fast-changing technology. Responding to fears that using genetic test results could result in a 'genetic underclass' of people unable to obtain insurance, Keith Beddell-Pearce of the Prudential told MPs that the industry could provide cover for such individuals from a 'pool fund'. However, a new report published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine last week says the UK is lagging behind the rest of Europe by failing to introduce legislation to govern the use of genetic test results. Co-author Anna Dixon says she is concerned that people may decide not to take a medically beneficial test for fear they would be refused cover.
Sources and References
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Genetic tests 'ripe for abuse'
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Insurers against genetic test ban
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Genetic testing
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Insurance firm admits using genetic screening
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