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For an insurer to deny coverage based on genetic information has been against the law in the US for almost 2 years http://www.genome.gov/10002077 http://www.gen
by troystribling 16y ago
For an insurer to deny coverage based on genetic information has been against the law in the US for almost 2 years http://www.genome.gov/10002077 http://www.genome.gov/10002077.
Also, there are health benefits to sharing your genetic information and comparing it with others since the extent of genetic variation within the general population is not currently well understood becuase of limited data. Over time it is also likely that knowledge of your genetic information will become directly more relevant to your health, though, this is not currently the case. I agree that some form anonymizing procedure should be in place.
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]
- Tichy 16y agoHow do you know why an insurer denies you coverage?
- troystribling 16y agoThe way you prove any corporate crime. Evidence would have to be obtained that the insurer acquired genetic information and then terminated coverage for individuals it perceived as high risk. This would likely involve many people from within the company. You would have to count on one of them to provide the evidence.
- jacquesm 16y agoFrom the 23andme website: "You should be careful about sharing your genetic information with others. Currently, very few businesses or insurance companies request genetic information, but this could change in the future. While the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was signed into law in the United States in 2008, the protection it will provide against discrimination by employers and health insurance companies for employment and coverage issues has not been clearly established." So it's a law but there has not been any test of this. Let's hope the law holds up.