Genes and Insurance

The authors of this study emphasize the effectiveness of collectively funded public insurances as opposed to genetic information regulation within the private insurance sector. Genetics has provided tools to determine individuals' risk of future disease, which is of key interest for insurance companies in determining insurance premiums; but persons with high enough risk may remain uninsured. For this reason, genetic information has been regulated. But, regulation may not be the solution, according to the authors, and they call for the resumption of social insurance, a key element of the welfare state.

Social insurance is being partially dismantled, and the importance of private insurance is growing in consequence. Genetics has provided tools to determine the individuals' risk of future disease, which is of key interest for insurance companies in determining insurance premiums; but persons with high enough risk may remain uninsured. For this reason, genetic information has been regulated. But regulation may not be the solution, argue the authors, and suggest instead the resurrection of collectively funded public insurances. This will interest academic researchers and professonials involved with genetics and insurance.