Genes and Insurance: Ethical, Legal and Economic Issues

by Marcus Radetzki, Marian Radetzki, Niklas Juth

Overview

The authors of this study emphasize the effectiveness of collectively funded public insurances as opposed to genetic information regulation within the private insurance sector. Genetics has provided tools to determine individuals' risk of future disease, which is of key interest for insurance companies in determining insurance premiums; but persons with high enough risk may remain uninsured. For this reason, genetic information has been regulated. But, regulation may not be the solution, according to the authors, and they call for the resumption of social insurance, a key element of the welfare state.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521830904
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/06/2003
Series:	Cambridge Law, Medicine and Ethics , #1
Edition description:	Updated Edition
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.55(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; Part I. Starting Points: 2. The terminology and possibilities of genetics; 3. Opportunities for insurers to use genetic information; Part II. Social, Economic and Legal Aspects: 4. Social insurance in the modern welfare state: emergence, maturity and partial dismantling; 5. International trade in personal insurance; 6. Prohibitions against discrimination in the private sphere: does legislation build on a consistent foundation?; Part III. Ethical Aspects: 7. Ethical arguments for and against the right of insurance companies to genetic information; Part IV. Evaluation: 8. Conclusions and policy implications; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'… this timely book, a welcome translation from the Swedish original … This excellent book tells a cautionary tale about the prospects of total and partial regulation …' The King's College Law Journal

'The legal and moral implications of genetic testing and insurance risk assessment are of growing importance as our knowledge of genetics and their impact on the development of disease increases. This book looks at the subject from ethical and economic angles, as well as from a legal viewpoint, and should be read by all those interested in the ongoing debate on the extent to which disclosure of genetic information to insurers should be regulated.' Actuary

'Genes and Insurance is both thought provoking and a good read …' Ken Davidson, Chairman of Crispin Speers & Partners (Lloyds Brokers), past Chairman of the British Insurance Law Association

From the Publisher