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Responding to House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology's report on genetics and insurance, and recommendations by the Human Genetics Commission, the Government has announced that it has reached agreement with the Association of British Insurers on a five-year moratorium on the use of genetic tests results in assessing applications for life insurance policies up to a value of £500,000, and for critical illness, long term care and income protection policies up to a value of £300,000. These limits will be reviewed after three years. When assessing applications for policies above these values, insurers may only use the results of tests approved by the Government's independent Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC). So far, GAIC has only approved the use of tests for Huntington's Disease, in the context of life insurance, though applications for several other tests are currently under consideration. Insurers will still be able to use family history information in assessing insurance applications. If an applicant is assessed as at increased risk of a genetic disease on the basis of family history but has received a negative genetic test, insurers will be able to use this information to re-set a premium to the general population level. During the period of the moratorium, the Government will encourage research on the scientific, medical, actuarial and social aspects of the use of genetic tests in insurance, with a view to development of a long-term policy. The remit and membership of GAIC will be widened to enable it to monitor compliance of the insurance industry with the terms of the moratorium, to investigate complaints, and to review its criteria for assessing genetic tests. The Government also intends to consult with the insurance industry and patient groups to see what measures might be taken to improve the situation of people who have difficulty obtaining insurance because of a family history of a serious genetic disease.   27/10/01

Note added 8/11/01: On 25 October the Government's response and the establishment of the moratorium were debated in parliament. The speech given by Jacqui Smith, Minister of State in the Department of Health, when presenting the report, and the full text of the debate, are available on-line from Hansard.