RT Journal
A1 Quarrell OJ, Bloch MM, Hayden MR
T1 INsurance and the presymptomatic diagnosis of delayed-onset disease
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1989
FD November 3
VO 262
IS 17
SP 2384
OP 2385
DO 10.1001/jama.1989.03430170044017
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1989.03430170044017
AB To the Editor. — 
    We read, with interest, the article by Brandt et al1 in which they described the preliminary results of their predictive testing program for Huntington's disease. We agree that presymptomatic diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disorder, for which no effective treatment is available, raises a number of ethical and social issues. However, we are concerned that the statement "individuals may well be advised to be cautious about disclosing either their participation in testing or test results" may be interpreted by insurance companies as encouraging individuals to withhold information. In addition, the authors are worried about insurance companies discriminating against individuals based on the results of genetic tests.Any discussion of life insurance in relation to predictive tests must take account of reality, and whether we like it or not, insurance companies believe in discrimination. They assign individuals to a group; the members of that group have approximately