The Association of British Insurers later this year is expected to apply for permission from the United Kingdom to allow its member companies to ask women if they have been tested for the presence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, which are believed to increase the chances of developing breast and ovarian cancers, London's Daily Telegraph reports (Fleming, Daily Telegraph, 2/14). About one in 400 people carry at least one of the gene mutations (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 10/27/03). According to the Telegraph, about 5% of new breast cancer patients and 10% of new ovarian cancer patients in the U.K. annually are believed to be living with the BRCA mutations. British insurance companies in 2001 agreed to a "voluntary moratorium," in which insurers only can ask people about genetic test results for conditions approved by the Genetics and Insurance Committee, a government advisory body. The companies last year agreed to extend the voluntary moratorium until 2011. Companies only are allowed to inquire about genetic tests if the insurance policies are worth more than: about $869,000 for life insurance, about $522,000 for "critical illness" insurance or about $52,000 for "income protection" insurance, the Telegraph reports. GAIC on its Web site said, "The committee expects that the ABI will submit in late 2006-2007 four revised and updated applications for the use of adverse results from predictive genetic tests of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in helping to determine insurance premiums for life and critical illness insurance." A spokesperson for ABI on Monday said, "No application has been submitted yet," adding, "If it did go through it would only apply to a small proportion of people with high value policies" (Daily Telegraph, 2/14).

Reaction
A group of 45 researchers, not-for-profit groups, attorneys and unions on Wednesday were expected to call for a government ban on "genetic discrimination," London's Times reports (Evans, Times, 2/14). John Sulston, vice chair of the Human Genetics Commission and a government adviser, said that the government should approve a ban on questions about genetic testing for insurance purposes by 2011, when the moratorium expires. A spokesperson for ABI said, "The moratorium is a voluntary agreement," adding, "We believe this is the correct, pragmatic way to go rather than down the legislative route." The ABI spokesperson added that the moratorium will come under review in 2008 and that "ABI will play a full part in that when the time comes" (Fleming, Daily Telegraph, 2/15).