Disclosure of Genetic Tests for Health Insurance

Genetic testing in relation to insurance has been an issue since the start of the Human Genome Project. Advances in technology have significantly increased the precision and availability of genetic testing. These tests can predict the possibility of future illnesses in individuals or can rule out alleged genetic conditions. As genetic testing became more prominent, interest in the use of genetic information increased. Concerns about to whom the information is disclosed and how the information is being used have arisen. Morris admits that in a case study that was conducted in Ireland, 20.6% of the participating respondents voiced their belief that there may be benefits from disclosing genetic tests results to insurers and the other 73.4% of the respondents stated that insurance should not use genetic tests as a basis for deciding on whether or not to insure an applicant (2010). Genetic tests should not be disclosed to insurance companies because of the potential for discrimination in health insurance coverage and the workplace and because of insufficient anti- discrimination legislation.

Insurance companies are concerned that the principles their business rests upon will deteriorate if they are denied access to genetic test information (Morris, 2010). Life insurance is based upon the concept that premium paid by an individual is adequate in covering the risk that individual brings into the insurance fund. Morris pointed out that currently, life insurance companies already have the right to differentiate premiums based on the risk that each applicant has (2010). In order to classify applicants by risk insurers uses a process called medical underwriting. Medical underwriting is a health insurance term referring to the use of medical...

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...ight to voice our opinions and our recommendations. We need to have our government and the insurance companies working together. They need to create a balance between the premiums that an individual with a genetic condition has to pay and the current health and life insurance systems. If this balance is unachievable then we need to think about obtaining a health care system with guaranteed health insurance coverage for all. As a society, we need to answer all the fundamental questions that we have regarding genetic testing and insurance coverage. Then we need to expand our knowledge of the current policy options and assist in modifying or correcting our legislations. It is essential to analyze every aspect and concern that arises in order to help ensure that we are not prohibiting ourselves from moving forward to where new opportunities and challenges await us.