A progressive neurodegenerative genetic disorder, which affects muscle coordination and some cognitive functions.
The UK government quizzed insurance companies over their use of genetic test results last week. The House of Commons Science and Technology committee met with representatives from Norwich Union, Co-operative Insurance and the Prudential. MPs have expressed concerns that insurers are using test results without the approval of the government's...
The decision by the Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC) last week to approve the use of genetic test results for Huntington's disease in assessing life insurance applications re-ignited a public debate about the dark side of advances in genetic science. According to the Daily Mail, Britain now leads the world...
A rough draft of the entire human genetic code was unveiled today, hailed as 'Biology's Apollo landing', 'the outstanding achievement of human history' and even as 'the language in which God created Life' (Bill Clinton). Does the first proof of our DNA dictionary really deserve such hyperbole? After all, even...
The UK government's public consultation on genetic tests and insurance has sparked worries of a 'genetic underclass' in the British media. The Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC) has just completed a public consultation on the criteria it will use to evaluate the use of certain genetic tests for insurance purposes...
The idea that a new genetic underclass will be created by insurance companies exacting high premiums has been rejected by a new study. Dr Angus MacDonald, an actuarial mathematician from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, has produced mathematical data showing the impact that genetic tests will have on the insurance industry...
Life insurance companies may be forced to stop using the results of genetic tests if they continue to flout a voluntary agreement not to use genetic screening before government approval. Lord Sainsbury, the Science Minister, has written to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to make clear that the government...
The terms of reference and membership of the newly formed Genetics and Insurance Committee (GAIC) were announced by Tessa Jowell, the UK's Minister for Public Health, following last week's initial meeting. GAIC's primary task will be to ensure that genetic tests are only used in assessing insurance premiums when it...
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