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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 2

Written Answers. - Genetic Testing Requirements.

Pat Upton

Question:

86 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the implications of genetic testing for the insurance industry; if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the rights of citizens who may suffer from genetic defects will be protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I would like to remind the Deputy that my statutory function in relation to insurance is to ensure that insurance companies meet their statutory solvency requirements. In order to meet these requirements insurers must be free to determine, inter alia, the manner in which they seek to verify facts which are material to the risks they propose to insure.

However, I understand from the insurance industry that there are no genetic testing requirements in relation to proposals of policies of insurance in Ireland at present nor are any such requirements proposed. The insurance industry has stated that were consideration to be given to introducing such requirements, the ethics of any proposals would be fully explored before any final position was reached.

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