Genetic testing should not affect insurance
Dr Lesley Andrews, coordinator of the Wolper Jewish Hospital Community Genetics Program, said it is an issue of major importance to the Jewish community.
The federal government has announced plans to end the ability of life insurance companies to discriminate based on genetic test results.
Currently, many Australians feel discouraged from undertaking genetic testing out of fear it may impact their ability to obtain life insurance or attract higher premiums.
Dr Lesley Andrews, coordinator of the Wolper Jewish Hospital Community Genetics Program, said it is an issue of major importance to the Jewish community.
“While there is a common misconception that Jewish people have more gene faults than other communities, this is not the case. However, Jews – particularly Ashkenazim – come from a defined gene pool, and are therefore more likely to share the same genetic traits.”
Andrews said the Jewish community are “highly medicalised … so research into these specific genetic traits has enabled Jewish people to engage in targeted testing programs”.
“However, insurance implications have been a barrier to the uptake of genetic testing in our community, depriving some people of valuable, and in some cases, life-saving interventions.”
Member for Macnamara Josh Burns, who has long advocated for this change said, “We have listened and acted. Because we know that genetic testing saves lives, and we also believe that no one should be discriminated against on the basis of their genetic makeup.
“I am really proud to have worked on this announcement, and it means that more people in our community will get the health care they need, and have financial certainty for loved ones.”
In 2018 a joint Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into the Life Insurance Industry recommended a moratorium on the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting. A year later, the life insurance industry introduced a partial self-regulated moratorium.
The government funded report – the Australian Genetics and Life Insurance Moratorium: Monitoring the Effectiveness and Response project from 2020-2023 (A-GLIMMER) found the moratorium was inadequate to prevent discrimination.
Monash public health researcher Jane Tiller, author of the A-GLIMMER report, told The AJN, “It was fantastic to see the government’s announcement in September that it will legislate a total ban on life insurers using genetic results in life insurance.”
But, she added, “The legislation has not yet been introduced into Parliament, despite the Assistant Treasurer stating that he plans to get it done in this term.
“If this is something that matters to you, I would encourage you to reach out to your federal MP and ask them to ask the Assistant Treasurer to prioritise this legislation.”
Tiller also paid tribute to Burns, saying he has been “incredibly supportive in Parliament, in helping to get traction on this important issue”.
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