Genetic predictive testing and private insurances.

Genetic information is a potential tool for selection of job applicants and of candidates for insurance. Social implications of genetic information may represent a threshold for the access to health care facilities. Some of the issues related to the use of predictive genetic information by private life and health insurance companies are discussed. They include the potential threat for the privacy of the individual and his relatives, the pressure to undergo genetic testing and the social consequences of the use of genetic information by private insurance companies. The justified financial interests of insurance companies and the interests of the individual to have his privacy protected and to be able to partake in social attainments have to be brought into balance. A ban on genetic testing in connection with access to insurances and a limitation to the use of existing genetic information have been suggested by the Dutch Health Council. This approach to the problem should be adopted throughout the European Communities, so that medical progress does not turn out to be against the interests of the consumer.