The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has welcomed the introduction of Federal Government legislation banning the use of predictive genetic test results in life insurance underwriting today.
CALI CEO Christine Cupitt said the legislation is an important milestone for Australians and their families, and a further step forward for Government and industry in reinforcing confidence in both predictive genetic testing and life insurance.
“Life insurers have provided people with the protection and certainty they need on their best and worst days. This legislation will give Australians more certainty and empower them towards better health outcomes,” said Ms Cupitt.
“No one should be deterred from taking predictive genetic tests that help them to better manage their health. As life insurers, we want people to access the information they need to make informed choices about their health and to manage it proactively,” she said.
Australia’s life insurers have long supported the responsible use of predictive genetic testing. In 2019, the industry introduced a mandatory standard that restricts the use of predictive genetic test results in underwriting, ensuring Australians could pursue testing with confidence.
Ms Cupitt said the rapid evolution of genetic science has made government action both timely and necessary.
The industry also welcomes the inclusion of a five-year review of the legislation, which will be essential to ensure the law keeps up to date with the ever-evolving predictive genetic testing landscape.
All of CALI’s members recognise that predictive genetic testing can play an important role in giving people peace of mind and supporting them to reduce potential health risks.