PATIENTS considering genetic testing should be advised to take out life insurance beforehand, an expert says, after an Australian study found one in 10 patients diagnosed with an asymptomatic genetic condition experienced some form of discrimination.Data from the Australian Genetic Discrimination Project, which surveyed clients of clinical genetics services, showed 10% of patients experienced negative treatment”with 42% of incidents occurring in the context of life insurance.The most common incidents included being refused life insurance, difficulty applying for life insurance and increased loading on premiums.However, bioethicist Dr Linda Barclay from the Centre for Human Bioethics at Monash University said life insurance companies were entitled to ask about applicants health status, including genetic disease, but the industry could not request that a...
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