-Caveat Lector- http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-80582,00.html THURSDAY FEBRUARY 08 2001 Insurance firm admits using genetic screening BY MELISSA KITE, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT ONE of Britain’s biggest insurance companies admitted yesterday using unapproved genetic tests for potentially fatal diseases when assessing whether to offer life cover. Norwich Union Life was forced to admit that it had been using experimental tests for breast and ovarian cancer and for Alzheimer’s disease when underwriting some insurance applications. The disclosure came as three insurance firms were questioned by members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. It prompted cross-party calls for urgent government action further to regulate the insurance industry. MPs complained of a serious abuse by the company and expressed fears that many more firms might be doing the same. Dr Ian Gibson, a member of the committee, accused Norwich Union of trying to set up a “genetic ghetto”. He called on the Government to stem the tide of genetic testing by insurance companies. “Self-regulation is clearly not working. These companies are attempting to identify a genetic underclass which can only lead to them profiting and individuals being discrimminated against.” The test for Huntingdon’s disease is the only genetic test that has been passed by the independent Genetics and Insurance Committee, part of the Government’s Human Genetics Commission. Questioned by the committee, representatives for Norwich Union, Prudential and Co-operative Insurance all said that they used the test for Huntingdon’s disease. They emphasised that the tests were not compulsory. The use of such tests established a crucial precedent. Norwich Union’s use of tests for cancer and Alzheimer’s also violates the Association of British Insurers’ code of conduct, which states that only tests approved by the committee are permissible. In a memorandum to the parliamentary committee Norwich Union Life, which comprises CGU and Norwich Union, proclaimed that it strictly adhered to the insurer’s code of conduct of genetic tests, saying: “We are committed to using only those test results which gain the approval of the GAIC committee.” But during questioning, Mike Urmston, chief actuary at Norwich Union, was forced to explain that breast and ovarian cancer tests were also being used. He said that the company had decided to use the tests on the advice of Professor Sandy Raeburn, the Association of British Insurers’ genetics adviser. Professor Raeburn is also a member of the committee, which Dr Gibson claimed produced a serious conflict of interest. Alan Williams, Labour MP for Swansea West, said that the firm had been acting highly improperly. “This is shooting first and asking questions later. You are using the tests as if they had been proved.” Desmond Turner, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, said: “This does nothing to increase public confidence in the insurance industry.” Norwich Union agreed to the MPs demands that if the tests were not passed, it rewrite the claims involved and reimburse the amount by which the premium had been inflated by the positive result. Copyright 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd. -- All extremists should be taken out and shot. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
