Insurer defends genetic testing plan

Insurer NIB has defended a program in which policy-holders will be genetically tested to reveal the likelihood of their developing preventable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. NIB chief executive Mark Fitzgibbon said offering customers cut-price DNA tests means they'd be more likely to increase their "health behaviour". Helping policy-holders stay fit makes sense "for obvious commercial reasons", he said, and added the results of the testing could save lives. "I believe with all my heart that in 10 years every GP in the country will have this type of information at their disposal to assist them in making better decisions," Mr Fitzgibbon said. Critics say the tests, to be conducted by US company Navigenics, could lead to increased premiums or insurers refusing cover altogether for those more predisposed to disease. They were also concerned GPs weren't involved in the process. But Mr Fitzgibbon dismissed the concerns. "If we need to do more in terms of encouraging people to take these tests to their doctor ... maybe that’s what we'll do," he said. "This is very much in a pilot phase." Mr Fitzgibbon also stressed that health funds couldn't charge higher premiums to customers with greater risk levels. "The principle of community rating prevents that. We have to charge the same premium to everybody irrespective of their age, their genes or whatever the case may be." But Mr Fitzgibbon admitted other forms of cover, including life insurance, could be affected. AAP...