Moratorium on the use of genetic information in insurance extended 15/3/05. By the Public Health Genetics Unit The UK Government and the Association of British Insurers have agreed to extend the existing voluntary moratorium on the use of predictive genetic test results by insurers by five years, to 2011.

The moratorium had been set to expire in 2006 and is overseen by the Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC). GAIC, formed in 1999, is also responsible for evaluating genetic tests and their applicability for insurance underwriting purposes and approving their use in this manner. GAIC has only approved one predictive genetic test up until now, that of Huntington's disease for use in determining premiums for life insurance policies over £500 000.

Feature: Loading the dice: Genes and the insurance industry

Feature: Moratorium on the use of genetic test results by insurers

In addition to the extension, the parties have agreed a new Concordat, a policy agreement on the use of genetic test results by insurers in underwriting insurance policies. It is designed, according to the Government press release, to reassure people about taking genetic tests.

The parties have agreed that genetic test results will not be used to deny people insurance cover. No one will be required to disclose the results of a predictive genetic test unless approved by GAIC and is for insurance cover of over £500 000 or critical illness and income protection insurance of over £300 000.

The insurers have also agreed to a set of measures designed to reassure people, including not to put pressure on those seeking insurance to take a predictive genetic test or to ask individuals to reveal another person's test results. Health Secretary, John Reid, said, "Choosing to have a predictive genetic test can be life saving, and nobody should be put off having such a test because of fears it will be used against them by insurers."

However, some believe that the new Concordat is not sufficient to prevent genetic discrimination. Genewatch UK believes that there are two significant provisions missing from the agreement. Individuals do not know if, after the moratorium expires, whether any predictive genetic test information they may have received while the moratorium was in place will be used against them. Also, the Concordat does not prevent employers from seeking predictive genetic test information.

The Concordat will be reviewed in 2008.

Article courtesy of the Public Health Genetics Unit .