Several Australian industries have expressed strong support for the government’s decision to ban the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting.
The new legislation, aimed at preventing genetic discrimination, has been widely embraced by the insurance, legal, medical, and health advocacy sectors, which have long argued that such measures are essential for protecting consumer rights and promoting genetic testing for preventive health care.
The Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA), a vocal advocate for the ban, welcomed the government’s action, calling it a significant move to safeguard consumers.
ALA national president Michelle James said that the ban addresses concerns that individuals may have avoided genetic testing due to fears about its impact on their insurance eligibility.
“It is good news that an individual’s decision to have genetic testing no longer needs to consider the potential impact on their ability to obtain insurance,” she said.
The ALA has consistently raised issues regarding the potential for financial penalties against those who proactively seek to understand and manage their health risks through genetic testing.
“It is unfair to financially penalise Australians who have made responsible health decisions by limiting their access to insurance based on genetic testing results,” James said.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) also praised the move, highlighting the importance of genetic testing in the early detection of diseases.
AMA president Professor Steve Robson said that the new law removes a significant barrier for patients considering genetic tests, which are crucial for identifying risk factors for various conditions.
“Genetic testing and genomic research have the capacity to rapidly transform health care in Australia by identifying a need for potentially life-saving treatment,” he said.
The AMA has been a leading voice in advocating for the ban, noting the critical role that genomic testing plays in modern medicine.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) echoed this support, with president Dr Nicole Higgins stating that the ban would encourage more people to undergo genetic tests without fear of financial repercussions.
“Genetic testing has great potential to improve health outcomes for Australians, and people shouldn’t be afraid to get tested for fear that they’ll be denied insurance,” she said.
She noted that genetic testing can help identify risks for serious conditions like cancer and heart disease, and this legislation would ensure that people are not deterred from seeking these potentially life-saving tests.
“Patients must be protected against genetic discrimination based on adverse results,” Higgins added.
The RACGP has long argued that protections against genetic discrimination are essential to encouraging widespread use of these tests in healthcare.
The Heart Foundation also welcomed the ban, noting that it will benefit those at risk of genetic heart conditions such as cardiomyopathies and other inherited cardiovascular diseases.
Professor Garry Jennings, the organisation’s chief medical advisor, said the ban would remove a significant obstacle for individuals considering genetic testing for conditions that could lead to heart disease.
“This ban ensures that Australians can access life-saving genetic testing without compromising their financial security,” he said.
Like other medical organisations, the Heart Foundation has been an advocate for policies that encourage genetic testing, particularly for individuals with a family history of heart-related conditions.
The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI), representing the insurance sector, has also backed the new regulation.
CALI CEO Christine Cupitt noted that while the industry has followed a voluntary moratorium since 2019 on using genetic test results, formal legislation provides clearer guidelines for both consumers and insurers.
The council emphasised that as genetic research evolves, it is essential that the law is updated to reflect new developments in genomic technology.
The ban follows a public consultation earlier this year, during which more than 1,000 submissions were received, with 97% supporting a complete prohibition on insurers using adverse genetic test results.
The Australian government plans to review the legislation every five years to ensure it remains relevant and effective in the face of rapid advancements in genetic testing technology.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said the legislation is intended to give Australians the freedom to undergo genetic testing without worrying about the potential financial consequences.
The decision complements broader government efforts to invest in genomic research, including $66 million in funding for projects aimed at integrating genomic testing into healthcare systems. This legislative change aligns Australia with a growing number of countries that have moved to prevent genetic discrimination in life insurance.
This shift is expected to boost public confidence in genetic testing, encouraging more Australians to take advantage of advancements in genetic medicine without fear of being denied insurance.
With the ban in place, healthcare providers anticipate that more individuals will pursue genetic tests, leading to earlier detection of hereditary conditions and better health outcomes.
