Ethical and legal implications of using genetic tests in insurance

The use of genetic tests in insurance raises significant ethical and legal issues in the context of the policyholder‘s duty to disclose material circumstances relevant to risk assessment. Legal frameworks in different countries regulate the use of genetic data in various ways, aiming to protect policyholders‘ privacy and prevent genetic discrimination. The German Genetic Diagnosis Act serves as one model for balancing the protection of human rights and the interests of insurers. Particular attention is given to distinguishing between predictive and diagnostic genetic tests in insurance. While some countries prohibit the use of genetic tests in risk assessment, others allow their limited use. The regulation of this issue remains a topic of debate, with the goal of finding a fair solution that protects both policyholders and insurers.