Photo: AFP
Health advocates are pushing for a halt on the use of genetic test results by insurance providers.
Genomic testing can play a role in the prevention and early diagnosis of some health issues - for example, if a person has breast cancer and carries the BRCA variant, their children may choose to test to see if they are also a carrier.
But life and health insurers are legally allowed to ask for and use an applicant's genetic test results in underwriting decisions, and can increase premiums - or even deny cover - because of it.
A bill is due to go before a select committee next week, with the aim of updating and modernising insurance law, focused mostly on improving the post-disaster space.
It has opened the door to submissions about other types of insurance - including life, disability, income protection, trauma, travel, and health.
A submission from Against Genomic Discrimination in Aotearoa - or 'AGenDA' says some people decide not to undergo potentially lifesaving genomic tests, due to fear over how the information will be used.
