§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress is being made in developing a national policy on the use of genetic information by insurance companies after 2006; [142268]
596W(2)what steps (a) have been taken and (b) will be taken in 2004 to develop a regulatory framework for the use of genetic information by insurance companies after 2006; [142269]
(3) what stakeholders and interested groups (a) have been involved and (b) will be involved in 2004 in developing a national policy on the use of genetic information by insurance companies. [142270]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government have made clear their position on the use of genetic test results for underwriting life and health insurance in the October 2001 Government response to the report from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee: Genetics and Insurance.
The Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC) is responsible for the evaluation of specific genetic tests and their relevance to particular types of insurance. The GAIC also provides independent scrutiny of compliance with the terms of the moratorium on the use of genetic test results by insurance companies, which runs until November 2006. If there is evidence of non-compliance with the moratorium by the insurance industry, then the Government are prepared to enforce it through legislation, if necessary.
The Human Genetics Commission (HGC) has been asked to work closely with the GAIC to provide Government with further advice in developing a longer-term policy on the use of genetic information by insurance companies.
The GAIC and HGC will also monitor the effectiveness of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) code of practice on genetics, which is mandatory for all ABI members.
The HGC and GAIC held a well-received joint public meeting in September 2003. A number of interested groups and members of the public attended this meeting, including representatives from organisations concerned with genetic disorders, as well as from insurance and re-insurance companies, and nongovernmental organisations with an interest in this area. The HGC and GAIC are planning a further such meeting in 2004.
Research is also under way to consider the use of genetic information in insurance underwriting. This research will be completed by 2005.