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Insurance companies are now allowed to consider the results of genetic test when underwriting policies. DNA samples will be permitted only in cases where the policyholder may have inherited the degenerative Huntington's disease.

The decision of the expert advisory body reporting to the Government on genetics and insurance will open the door to the consideration of genetic test results for diseases which are inherited, including breast cancer.

Consumer groups and opposition MPs maintain that the introduction of DNA tests for insurance will create a group of people - the genetic underclass - who will be unable to get medical insurance cover.

A prime example of a group who will have to pay higher premiums and may never qualify for life insurance, are those inheriting the gene associated with Huntington's, a terminal disease. Failure to disclose this disease to an insurance company following a DNA test would invalidate the cover.

The Liberal Democrat spokesman for health, Dr Peter Brand, says that not only is it going to be very difficult to regulate genetic testing, but it will create not only a genetic underclass, but also a health underclass. He maintains that although it is sensible to test when a genetic disease is treatable, it should be carried out confidentially, otherwise people won't be able to sign up for mortgages and insurance.

An independent group of health professionals, geneticists and actuaries, known as the Genetics and Insurance Committee, has been established by the Department of Health, to assess genetic tests.

Hereditary breast cancer, myotonic dystrophy and Alzheimer's disease are among nine diseases, which the Association of British Insurers (ABI) plans to request permission to include in a list of diseases for which genetic test results can be requested.

The National Consumer Council considers the granting of this application could be a backward step, as it will discourage people from applying for a test, which could be in their own interest.

Insurers will be told that they may consider genetic tests for Huntington's when assessing life insurance cover, although not for mortgage protection and some other types of insurance cover. Cornhill and Standard Life do not consider the results from genetic testing when assessing a claim, although some insurance companies may do..

The Huntington's Disease Association accepts that insurers must behave as 'commercial companies' Each person whose parent has Huntington's disease is born with a 50-50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene. Anyone who inherits the faulty gene will, at some stage, develop the disease. A genetic test is available from Regional Genetic Clinics throughout the country. This test will usually be able to show whether someone has inherited the faulty gene, but it will not indicate the age at which they will develop the disease.50 per cent of people have a chance of inheriting Huntington's from a parent who is diagnosed with the disease There are about 7000 people suffering from the illness in the country.

Juvenile Huntington's Disease (JHD) refers to anyone who develops signs or symptoms of HD before they are 20 years old. It is a relatively rare condition and only about 5% of people affected with HD will develop symptoms this young. This can make it quite an isolating experience for the person affected by HD, their family, and any professionals that are helping them.

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