January 21, 2008

Genetic testing for Alzheimer - concerns over insurance

New genetic testing for adult-onset diseases raise concerns over potential adverse selection in the insurance markets.

To assess this concerns, a study followed 148 cognitively normal persons that participated in a randomized clinical trial of genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease. A year after the disclosure of risk assessment and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. While there were no significant differences in health, life, disability insurance or purchases, which tested positive were 5.76 times more likely to have altered their long-term care insurance than those who did not received the APOE genotype disclosure.

If genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease is the assessment of risks, which could trigger adverse selection in the long-term care insurance.

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