Your genes in insurance: from genetic discrimination to genomic solidarity

Personalized Medicine
Ine Van Hoyweghen, Lisa Rebert

Abstract

Advances in genomics and postgenomics have renewed interest in the impact of genomic health information on private life insurance across Europe. These developments reopen the issue of how genes - apart from being the object of discrimination (exclusion) - also operate as generators of solidarity (inclusion). This article traces several developments in regulating genetics and life insurance and its social implications in the European context. At first, genes were viewed as a source of differentiation, which led to fears of 'genetic discrimination' in life insurance. In response, genetic nondiscrimination regulations were enacted across Europe. Current debates on the use of genomic health information in life insurance have actually opened up possibilities for a form of genomic solidarity between 'all of us'. The introduction of genes and genomes appears to turn private life insurance practices of actuarial risk discrimination increasingly into 'discriminatory' practices by challenging the larger fundamental 'right to underwrite'.

References

Jan 1, 1995·Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law·K Hinrichs
Jan 14, 2004·European Journal of Human Genetics : EJHG·Béatrice GodardSégolène Aymé
Mar 24, 2006·New Genetics and Society·Ine Van HoyweghenRita Schepers
Jun 20, 2007·The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics : a Journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics·Mark A Rothstein
Oct 9, 2007·Health Care Analysis : HCA : Journal of Health Philosophy and Policy·Ine Van HoyweghenRita Schepers
Jul 18, 2008·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·Ine Van Hoyweghen, Klasien Horstman
Nov 7, 2008·Nature·Barbara PrainsackJeantine E Lunshof
Apr 8, 2009·Genome Medicine·Amy L McGuire, Mary Anderlik Majumder
Feb 26, 2011·Science·Vololona Rabeharisoa
May 23, 2012·Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics·M OtlowskiY Bombard

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 5, 2018·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Isabelle TremblayAnnie Janvier
Sep 19, 2018·Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science·Gregory Katz, Peter J Pitts
Jul 1, 2020·The Hastings Center Report·Carolyn P Neuhaus
Oct 17, 2013·European Journal of Human Genetics : EJHG·Yann JolyIne Van Hoyweghen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association
Ine Van Hoyweghen, Klasien Horstman
AAOHN Journal : Official Journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
Sheila M Litchfield
Genetics in Medicine : Official Journal of the American College of Medical Genetics
Mark A Rothstein
Nursing Times
M Spinks
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved