Genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer: implications for life insurance

As the science of genetic testing progresses, the debate surrounding the uses of genetic information intensifies. In February, President Clinton signed an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from using such information to make hiring, promotion, or placement decisions. Concerns about privacy and discrimination have led many states to propose or enact statutes that prohibit health insurers from using genetic test results in their underwriting decisions. However, few statutes address access to these results by the life insurance industry. This Issue Brief summarizes the current debate on whether life insurers should have access to genetic testing information for breast and ovarian cancer, and provides actuarial insight into the potential effect of such testing on the voluntary term insurance market.