Letter: Genetics and risk

Sir: The letter from Dr Perutz ('The right to know your own genes', 21 August) cannot be left unchallenged as it would be detrimental to the majority of people in this country.

He refers to confidentiality over genetic matters being essential, but if an individual wishes to obtain life insurance the insurance company must know as much about the risk it is taking on as the individual. Only in this way can a rate of premium be calculated that is commensurate with the risk. This is fair both to the individual and to other policy-holders in the insurance fund.

To allow individuals to withhold information distorts such equitable treatment and at its lowest level is akin to offering motor insurance while letting drivers withhold information on their accident record.

It is wrong to suggest that genetic information is different from the other medical information that may be held within an individual's medical record. Furthermore, existing records probably contain references to family history and illnesses.

The UK life and health insurance industry has had many generations of experience in treating medical information in a sensitive and confidential manner, and this must continue in the future.

Yours faithfully,

M. J. BOLEAT

Director general

Association of British Insurers

London, EC2