The New York Times is reporting that patients are submitting to underground genetic testing, but are not informing their doctors of the results because these patients have legitimate fears of insurance discrimination. With recent advancements in technology, companies such as 23andMe and deCODEme have been able to remove the last barrier, cost, for personalized genetic screening. 

The article addresses issues regarding privacy fears, in addition to the use of genetic results to prescreen policies/increase the cost of premiums by insurance companies.  An admittance by some insurance companies in a recent Georgetown University Health Policy Institute study is frightening; they admit they would raise premiums or deny coverage based on genetic results.

It is disheartening that fears of discrimination by insurance companies are hindering the advent of new genetic tests to help patients make informed medical decisions before undergoing treatment. Hope is on the horizon; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act would make it illegal for insurers to deny coverage based solely on a genetic predisposition.  We wait for the passage of this act as this bill is before the congress for a seventh time.