UK Insurers Delay Introduction Of Genetic Testing
While the subject of genetic testing has been at the forefront of the British insurance industry for many years, the industry spokesperson, the Associations of British Insurers, has announced plans for a further freeze until 2014. Under the freeze, consumers will still be able to take out insurance cover without disclosing the results of any genetic tests which they may have had carried out.
As more and more people undergo tests to see if they are susceptible to an array of different conditions and illnesses, the British insurance sector had been calling for these results to be declared on application forms. However, many civil liberty groups believe that this is an invasion of privacy and just because someone ‘may’ be ‘at risk’, it is not a reason to hit them with higher premiums.
However, it seems inevitable that the insurers will win the battle at the end of the day with many expecting genetic testing to become compulsory in the future. This will be yet another excuse for many of the leading insurers to increase their premiums for situations which may or may not happen in the future.
While there are compelling arguments on both sides, this will remain a very controversial subject for some time to come.
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