The current Economist magazine analyzes the latest advances in genetic testing, and comes away convinced that they will cause upheaval in the insurance industry. Insurance companies fear that those with no genetic worries will stop paying for coverage. Consumers fear that insurance companies will redline anyone with wayward DNA. And, say the Economist’s editors, it’s entirely likely that society will at last be forced to conduct a public discussion of healthcare trade-offs, like rationing of care and denial of coverage based on family medical history, that have long been taking place out of public view.

Let’s stand back and look at an even bigger picture here. This is a leading example of science galloping ahead of society’s ability — and willingness — to grapple with ethical consequences. If everyone will soon be able to unravel their children’s chromosomal mysteries at reasonable rates, obstetricians and gynecologists may be facing more “wrongful birth” lawsuits.

Since it’s a lot easier to identify a genetic mutation than to predict its impact, we can expect a new wave of abortions as parents seek to prevent the birth of children whose health status can’t be reliably foretold. And social stigma against disability, particularly genetic disability, gets another nudge upward.

Politicians are debating whether and how to limit insurance companies’ use of genetic data to prevent abuse and discrimination. One thing is sure: there won’t be any shortage of investors trying to follow the money as genetic tests become mass-market products.

Related stories:

• from the San Francisco Chronicle.
• from ABC News.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 24th, 2007 at 10:09 am and is filed under abortion, genetics, insurance, law, prenatal diagnosis, privacy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.