Insurers allowed limited access to genetic tests
Insurers are to be granted access to genetic tests, but only in cases involving large life insurance policies.
Parliament approved the measure on Wednesday as part of a series of proposals designed to tighten legislation on genetic testing for hereditary diseases.
The law aims to head off potential abuses as well as protect the rights of the individual. The government warned that any discrimination resulting from genetic tests would not be tolerated.
It said testing should only be carried out with the individual’s consent and only if ordered by a doctor. An individual may refuse to know the results of a test.
The law also prevents employers from screening staff, except in special cases where there might be a risk, such as with pilots.
Those in favour of stricter safeguards governing genetic testing said the law was imperative because the practice was becoming more widespread.
“Genetic tests often raise difficult questions because they make it possible to find out predispositions to certain diseases, before the clinical symptoms become apparent,” said Justice Minister Christoph Blocher.
Blocher added that the aim of the law was to fix boundaries within which scientists would be free to carry out their work.
The government also hopes that the legislation will put Switzerland at the forefront of regulating different aspects of genetic testing.
Controversial
Under the legislation, insurers can ask to view the results of tests that have already been carried out on policyholders who wish to take out life insurance worth more than SFr400,000 ($316,000) or disability insurance of over SFr40,000.
Opponents had argued that such a move was likely to have negative consequences for people wanting to take out insurance.
“We are opening a door which could lead to massive discrimination in insurance premiums,” said Anita Fetz, a centre-left Social Democrat parliamentarian.
The law also stipulates that foetuses can only be tested for health reasons. This is aimed at preventing any attempts to create so-called “designer babies”.
The law is due to go back to the House of Representatives to iron out differences between the two parliamentary chambers before it comes into force.
swissinfo with agencies
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have now approved the proposal.
The draft law aims to stop abuses of genetic testing for hereditary diseases and protects individual rights.
DNA profiles are also partly covered by the law, but scientific research will be subject to separate legislation.
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