The market analysis group Datamonitor has warned that genetic testing is a minefield for insurers and insured alike, and has forecast that tests indicating genetic predisposition to medical conditions will become increasingly common.

"For insurers, testing poses serious questions of ethics and profit. Indication of genetic disposition to life-threatening illness has massive implications for the writing of life insurance, private and critical illness products," says Datamonitor.

Datamonitor warns while the presence of a specific gene may indicate an increased likelihood of an individual developing atherosclerosis, dietary and lifestyle factors may make the genetic predisposition less relevant in the assessment of the risk of coronary heart disease.

Details of the study are contained in Datamonitor's Health Insurance 2000 report - www.datamonitor.com.