The inaction has sparked renewed calls for a complete federal ban amid concerns over ‘shaky’ patient trust.
The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences is calling on the federal government to act now to implement a total ban “without any limits, caps, or exclusions” on life insurers using genetic testing information.
The academy said that while it was excited by the government’s consultation on the matter, which closed in January, amid the lack of response public trust in genetic testing was “shaky”.
It added that the use of genetic testing by the life insurance industry risked discrimination, particularly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The academy released a position statement calling the federal government to action, amid reports from patients refusing vital genetic testing due to fears of knock-on effects for their insurance, said academy president Professor Louise Baur.
“The lack of a legislated ban preventing the life insurance industry’s use of genetic testing results in underwriting is causing concern for patients and eroding trust in this critical technology,” she said.
“Academy Fellows, who are at the forefront of clinical practice and research, have witnessed firsthand how these concerns are impacting Australians’ decision-making, leading some to decline genetic testing due to worries about future genetic discrimination.
“A complete ban on the use of genetic testing by life insurers would bring Australia into line with international counterparts, ensure that Australians are free from genetic discrimination, and preserve trust in health and medical science.”
Professor Baur said that genetic testing was saving lives.
“In clinical settings, it identifies the need for crucial treatments, while in medical research, it drives scientific breakthroughs essential for the future of precision medicine and personalised healthcare,” she said
The academy’s full position statement is available on its website.
