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Life Insurance Genetic Testing

Meaning

Life Insurance Genetic Testing refers to the controversial practice where life insurance companies might request or utilize an applicant’s genetic test results to assess their risk of developing future diseases, thereby determining policy eligibility and premium rates. This practice raises significant ethical and legal concerns, as predictive genetic information could be used to unfairly deny coverage or make insurance prohibitively expensive for individuals with genetic predispositions. The primary debate centers on balancing the insurer’s need for actuarial accuracy against the individual’s right to privacy and equitable access to financial protection.