MEP calls for legislation on insurers and genetic testing

The Government must introduce legislation to prevent insurers from demanding genetic tests before issuing policies, according to Green MEP Ms Nuala Ahern. She said Britain planned such legislation, which would protect those with inherited diseases from becoming a "genetic underclass".

Her call follows criticism of insurers and their use of genetic tests this week by the British Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. It asked the British government to impose a two-year moratorium on the use of genetic testing if insurers did not agree to a voluntary ban.

"I think that there is a very strong line that is being crossed by the insurers," Ms Ahern said yesterday. "In many cases the risk of the disease is minimal. Much of the information is not of great value to the insurer."

Ms Ahern sits on an EU Parliament committee of inquiry into the ethics of human genetics. It was formed in response to Britain's decision to allow experimental use of human embryos and will publish a report on the issue later this year.

A charter of human genetic rights would protect individuals from discrimination and protect society from abuse of genetic knowledge, Ms Ahern said. She called on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which has responsibility for the insurance industry, to legislate to protect those at risk of having inherited diseases.

The Irish Insurance Federation says it expects that clients will make risks known to the insurer under the normal terms of disclosure of information. This could include acknowledging that a genetic test had been taken in the past. It has prepared a draft code of practice on genetic testing for its members and is in discussion with the Task Force on Biotechnology.

The Department is also involved in a "process of consultation with interested parties", according to the Minister of State, Mr Noel Treacy.