DNA Tests, Privacy, and Health Insurance.

    Many applicants for and Policyholders holding Health Insurance Policies are reportedly paying the costs themselves, or just plain not having expensive DNA tests, because they are so afraid that DNA tests may disclose genetic predispositions to disease, for example.  In that case, they fear that the results may be reported to Health Insurance Companies even though the persons do not have the disease in question.

    The Insurance Issue is a brambled one.  It cannot really be separated from issues of Privacy for the Policyholders or applicants for Insurance on the one hand, and issues of full disclosure on the other hand.  The fear could be reduced or eliminated if the Health Insurance Coverage could not permissibly be canceled or declined simply on the basis of DNA test results standing alone.

    In the meantime, many people reportedly continue to either pay for the DNA tests themselves -- assuring themselves that any results will be reported to them -- or not have the DNA tests done at all, because they are afraid that the results would or may endanger their Health Coverage.  Mary Harmon, "Fear of Insurance Trouble Leads Many to Shun or Hide DNA Tests" p. A1, col. 5 (New York Times Nat'l Ed., Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008).

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