§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he issues on the use of individual genetic information by insurance companies. [17393]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 23 November 2001]: The Government have established an advisory body, the Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC), to consider applications by the insurance industry on the use of specific genetic tests and to make recommendations on whether particular tests are appropriate for use by the insurance industry. Insurance companies have agreed to abide by the decisions of GAIC.
The Government published their response to the Fifth Report from the Science and Technology Committee, on genetics and insurance, on 23 October 2001. The Government support the strengthened Association of British Insurers moratorium on the use of genetic test results by insurance companies, which commenced on 1 November 2001.