Title: Implications of Genetic Testing for Australian Insurance Law and Practice
Abstract: This paper is in the form of a report prepared on behalf of our
research team (Professor Don Chalmers, Professor Loane Skene,
Associate Professor Margaret Otlowski and Dr Dianne Nicol) as
part of our project, funded by the Australian Research Council, to
investigate the legal and ethical implications of the human genome
project from an Australian perspective. This report examines the
significance of the human genome project for Australian insurance
law and practice. A separate report, examining the impact of
genetics developments in the area of employment law and practice
is also to be published. This report follows on from a discussion paper that was sent to
organisations and individuals having an interest in the area for
their comment - our group taking the view that this research
should be informed by consultation with the key stakeholders.
Those consulted included prominent geneticists and other health
care professionals working in the field of genetics, organisations
representing people with genetic disabilities, the presiding officers
of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Anti-Discrimination
Boards and Tribunals, and representatives from the insurance
industry. As a result of this targeted consultation process, in excess
of twenty-five responses were received, representing a broad crosssection
of the individuals and groups that we had approached. Our group is indebted to those who spent time on replying to the
circulated discussion paper. We have drawn on the advice,
comments and insights of the various respondents in developing
our recommendations and this input has been invaluable in the
finalisation of the report. A list of those from whom we received
responses is attached to this Report (Appendix 1). The issue of access to genetic information by insurance companies
and the use that can legitimately be made of such information has
already attracted significant attention in the United Kingdom, the
United States and many European countries. In some instances,
this interest has resulted in guidelines, recommendations and/ or
legislation. This report explores the legal and ethical issues within
the Australian insurance context and makes a number of
recommendations.
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 2
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