Britain's Health Secretary John Reid today announced that genetic test results used to predict possible future illness will not be used to deny people insurance.
The Government has negotiated an agreement with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to extend the current restrictions on the use of predictive genetic tests result by insurers, to November 2011.
This forms part of a new binding framework between ABI and the Government. Published today, the framework 'Concordat and Moratorium on Genetics and Insurance' is designed to re-assure people who may be deterred from taking predictive genetic tests for fear of the insurance consequences.
The framework sets out that no one will be required to disclose the result of a predictive genetic test unless it is first approved by the Government's Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC), and is for insurance of more than £500,000 for life insurance, and £300,000 for critical illness and income protection insurance. Over 97% of all policies are for much less than these amounts.
To protect patients, the framework also sets out a further set of commitments on the information insurance companies can ask for. For example, genetic tests taken as part of a research study do not have to be disclosed to insurers. This is good news for UK clinical researchers, as it removes a potential obstacle to patient recruitment in the development of live-saving diagnostic tests, treatments and medicines.
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.
Genetic tests that may predict disease have only recently been developed, but this framework sets out a stable and sensible environment to help support the future development of genetics.
Advances in genetics will have a profound impact on healthcare. We have been working hard to ensure these benefits can be realised throughout the NHS. As part of our commitment outlined in the genetics White Paper we are investing £18m specifically to expand laboratory capacity for genetic testing. By 2006, patients tested for a known gene mutation will have their results available within 2 weeks.
The NHS, with its basis of universal health care funded by taxation, is ideal for capturing the benefits of genetic advances. By dispelling fears over how predictive genetic tests will be used, we are removing barriers to realising those benefits."