Date published: 2005/03/14
The BBC says:
Ministers have struck a deal to extend a moratorium on the use of genetic test results to deny people insurance.
The current agreement with the Association of British Insurers was due to run out next year.
But Health Secretary John Reid announced on Monday the moratorium would be extended to November 2011.
Ministers hope the deal will reassure people who might be put off taking a test for fear the results could prevent them obtaining insurance.
At present, few predictive genetic tests are available, but it is likely that many more will soon come on stream.
Their use could potentially help save lives.
The new framework will mean that at present the only people who will have to disclose their test results are those who have undergone a test for Huntington's disease, and who are seeking life insurance cover for more than £500,000.
The Huntington's test is currently the only one approved by the government's Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC).
Insurers will be able to ask for the results of any future tests also approved by the GAIC.
But any life insurance policy for less than £500,000, and any critical illness or income protection policy for less than £300,000 will be exempt.
Currently, 97% of policies are for cover less than these amounts.
In addition, genetic tests taken as part of a research study will not have to be disclosed to insurers.
This will ensure that insurance worries will not affect patient recruitment to scientific trials.
It would be a brave person who trusted the medical profession, the government and the insurance industry enough to be reassured by this all.
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