Could Gene Testing Result in Lower Health Insurance Costs?

The BBC today reports DNA testing companies’ increase in popularity in recent months. Companies such as 23andMe, DeCODEme and Navigenics are able to decode an individuals’ DNA, providing consumers with an idea of how prone they are to various diseases and more about why their body is the way it is.

While controversy exists within the field, some arguing it is a waste of money and others touting its potential uses for both individuals and pharmaceutical companies, I have to wonder about the  ramifications this may have on the overall health industry if the information should be accessible to the public. 23andMe has said they would not sell the data, though I do wonder how insurance companies, or even employers who pay for insurance might react if they would get their hands on this information.

Might there be a lower cost for individuals who are considered “healthier” than others? Similar rate differences exist today between men and women when we purchase car insurance at the age of 16. Different rates exist for men than women, as men are considered more aggressive drivers at this age, yet, gender is something we cannot control, much like the DNA results from these tests.

Regardless, I think great potential lies in the practice of more and more individuals discovering more about their DNA and then acting upon those findings in order to live a healthier lifestyle. Preventative care would safe the health industry billions of dollars, so insurance companies would be wise to assist with paying for tests, such as this.

One final note that crosses my mind is  companies using this information during the hiring process. While laws  greatly diminish this type of discrimination, I wonder if that would be at all an issue, 40-50 years down the line.