The industry's determination to cut its risks means that companies are exploiting a loophole in the law to demand the results of gene tests. The Association of British Insurers refused to wait for the governments decision and already allows members to demand test results for eight specific conditions. The validity and reliability of these tets are only now being scrutinised by the Deaprtment of Health's Genetic and Insurance Committee. If insurance companies go down these lines, some people will inevitably be excluded from cover. There needs to be some provision for these people, the welfare state will need to provide for them.
Labour is divided on the issue.
Dr Ian Gibson called for an immediate change in the law to ban access. It involves either denying cover to people, or increasing premiums. They should not have access to this information. Association of British Insurers spokesman Suzanne Moore said the industry needs to take account of all the risks when selling a policy. The ABI has promised that if any of its tests are ruled invalid by the government, people who have been asked to pay higher premiums will get refunds.