Aetna official presents case for genetic testing to NAIC. (Aetna Life Insurance & Annuity Co. VP Steven Zimmerman; National Association of Insurance Commissioners)

National Underwriter Life & Health-Financial Services Edition, June, 1996 by Schmitt, Frederick

Aetna Life Insurance & Annuity VP Steven Zimmerman, in a presentation to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, denied that the widespread availability of genetic testing would impact the supply of life insurance. Zimmerman argued that routine testing would inform millions of Americans that they were not at risk for the major diseases and besides, insurance companies wanted to expand their client base, not decrease it. Zimmerman also claimed that government regulation was not necessary to ensure that life and property insurers did not create a so-called 'genetic underclass' of people denied coverage for genetic reasons.

NEW YORK--Should the public be fearful of an insurance industry push to gain access to genetic information? The answer is no, according to...

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