VHI allowing genetic testing already?

paleoperson · 03-11-2018 1:04am #1

Did I just wake up to a dystopia or something?

So based on an ad I just saw, VHI are now being allowed to use genetic testing just like that? There's no controversy, no mass protests, no big placards? No ethics and regulations committees, no dail debates? Where's the protesting? Not even a debate?

Isn't this the sort of thing being feared of happening for decades? It seems like we're just sleepwalking into a eugenics based-society. This is going to result in both suffering and the eventual wiping out of all of all our genes. It all seems like another tool in the armoury of the haves and have-nots. For pity's sake, think about what you are giving away.

I have a major dislike of health insurance companies, particularly VH1, but this seems to be just taking the piss.

Kevin Finnerty · 03-11-2018 1:05am

Which ad? Any link?

TheValeyard · 03-11-2018 1:06am

I have not heard of this?

paleoperson · 03-11-2018 1:08am

Kevin Finnerty wrote: »

Which ad? Any link?

As if a nice old man is going to be talking about genetic superiority.

Where is the controversy and argument over this? Are Irish regulators really so dumb that they just allow this without thinking much about it?! Wouldn't be surprised if there was a revolving door system or something similar going on.

The Satanist · 03-11-2018 1:08am

Crush the weak, I like this.

wakka12 · 03-11-2018 1:10am

I dont understand, what are they testing people for? And what are they attempting to do with the results? How is it eugenics?

Eugenics is a very loaded term because of its use during much less equal times in history, if it means eliminating horrible illnesses for future generations then so what

puppieperson1 · 03-11-2018 1:13am

i am sure they are doing it so they can charge you more and share all the genetic material with law enforcement agencies.

Big brother is coming - tesco know what you have for dinner vhi know your genetic potential and when youll die face book know what you do & who your friends are. Google and your smart phone knows where you go and how you think. alexa listens to all your conversations your tv is spying on you too every digital photo can be attributed to you ..... we are no longer FREE.

Prison planet bring on the apocalypse..........:(

paleoperson · 03-11-2018 1:14am

wakka12 wrote: »

I dont understand, what are they testing people for? And what are they attempting to do with the results? How is it eugenics?

The way it is now everyone goes to a health insurance provider with a clean slate - everyone takes an equal proportion of the risk so has an equal price, based on their age, occupation, family history and a few other factors - this is all kind of repulsive as well if you ask me, we should be treated as equally as is feasibly possible, especially when it comes to health.

Now they're taking it further and putting out genetic testing, so depending on what genes you have, you get a higher or lower premium to pay.

Hoboo · 03-11-2018 1:15am

Peter Casey must be a major shareholder. Im loving it.

Triceratops Ballet · 03-11-2018 1:21am

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer they did investigations to see if it was a genetic form of cancer, if it had been me and my sister would have been offered testing. This was nearly 10 years ago and on the public system. Its not new.

EdgeCase · 03-11-2018 1:22am

It's for hereditary cancers. Handy to know if you're at risk, but also hope the insurance industry doesn't use it to load premiums.

paleoperson · 03-11-2018 1:26am

Triceratops Ballet wrote: »

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer they did investigations to see if it was a genetic form of cancer, if it had been me and my sister would have been offered testing. This was nearly 10 years ago and on the public system. Its not new.

If it's the public system it wouldn't have affected you financially? Yes the testing has been around, but not the routine loading of premiums depending on your genes as far as I'm aware. This seems like a new age we're entering into where lucky people get even wealthier.

03-11-2018 1:27am

Instinctively, the op is probably correct and the control and use of this sort of testing should concern us all.

However, I would like to have the knowledge about my genes and inherited conditions that could help make better decisions at some point in the future.

Triceratops Ballet · 03-11-2018 1:31am

paleoperson wrote: »

If it's the public system it wouldn't have affected you financially? Yes the testing has been around, but not the routine loading of premium's depending on your genes as far as I'm aware. This seems like a new age we're entering into where lucky people get even wealthier.

Good point. I wonder though would the labs who do the testing be precluded from sharing the info with insurers under doctor patient confidentiality rules?

4068ac1elhodqr · 03-11-2018 1:34am

Even worse is the casual 'Ancestry' research type companies, they may keep your lovely spit for a decade or so, and sell it on to bigPharma if they so feel inclined.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/dna-testing-delete-your-data-23andme-ancestry-2018-7

03-11-2018 1:56am

Raylan Fast Swordsman wrote: »

Even worse is the casual 'Ancestry' research type companies, they may keep your lovely spit for a decade or so, and sell it on to bigPharma if they so feel inclined.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/dna-testing-delete-your-data-23andme-ancestry-2018-7

And frightening undiscovered murderers, who find police calling to their door because a relative did a DNA test and it's close to that of their chief suspect.

DNA profiles from ancestry websites helped identify the Golden State Killer suspect

LETHAL LADY · 03-11-2018 2:00am

Deleted User wrote: »

And frightening undiscovered murderers, who find police calling to their door because a relative did a DNA test and it's close to that of their chief suspect.

DNA profiles from ancestry websites helped identify the Golden State Killer suspect

You read my mind or DNA!

mvl · 03-11-2018 2:45am

Is this about direct to consumer genetic testing, or is it about healthcare provider regulated genetic testing ?

- appears legislation in EU varies on this, some countries are more protected than others.

Kevin Finnerty · 03-11-2018 2:48am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Instinctively, the op is probably correct and the control and use of this sort of testing should concern us all.

However, I would like to have the knowledge about my genes and inherited conditions that could help make better decisions at some point in the future.

Me too#.

Ah the good times.

RobertKK · 03-11-2018 3:15am

Raylan Fast Swordsman wrote: »

Even worse is the casual 'Ancestry' research type companies, they may keep your lovely spit for a decade or so, and sell it on to bigPharma if they so feel inclined.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/dna-testing-delete-your-data-23andme-ancestry-2018-7

Yeah to be used to find cures, how awful.

Ipso · 03-11-2018 4:46am

paleoperson wrote: »

Did I just wake up to a dystopia or something?

So based on an ad I just saw, VHI are now being allowed to use genetic testing just like that? There's no controversy, no mass protests, no big placards? No ethics and regulations committees, no dail debates? Where's the protesting? Not even a debate?

Isn't this the sort of thing being feared of happening for decades? It seems like we're just sleepwalking into a eugenics based-society. This is going to result in both suffering and the eventual wiping out of all of all our genes. It all seems like another tool in the armoury of the haves and have-nots. For pity's sake, think about what you are giving away.

I have a major dislike of health insurance companies, particularly VH1, but this seems to be just taking the piss.

Eugenics? Wiping out genes?
At least you didn’t get hysterical.

squawker · 03-11-2018 4:48am

its fcuking Gattaca

Run for the hills!!!

OldMrBrennan83 · 03-11-2018 4:50am

Hoboo wrote: »

Peter Casey must be a major shareholder. Im loving it.

Is he the new stock reply to everything?

Who shot JFK? Peter Casey HAHAHA.

Gimme A Pound · 03-11-2018 3:45pm

paleoperson wrote: »

This is going to result in both suffering and the eventual wiping out of all of all our genes.

It is?

I have a major dislike of health insurance companies, particularly VH1

Why? And why particularly VH I (not 1)?

puppieperson1 wrote: »

i am sure they are doing it so they can charge you more and share all the genetic material with law enforcement agencies.

Big brother is coming - tesco know what you have for dinner vhi know your genetic potential and when youll die face book know what you do & who your friends are. Google and your smart phone knows where you go and how you think. alexa listens to all your conversations your tv is spying on you too every digital photo can be attributed to you ..... we are no longer FREE.

Prison planet bring on the apocalypse..........:(

Thought you were joking at first. All of the above of course is being forced on you.

Love tinfoil hatters.

And to answer the OP's question as to why there isn't uproar - nobody is being forced into it, and people didn't know about it, just like you didn't until you saw the ad only yesterday.

What's this stuff too about the gap between the haves and have nots? Damn those people on good money who worked their asses off for years to get there eh?

paleoperson · 03-11-2018 6:00pm

Don't get saucy with me Gimme A Pound, I was going to answer some of your questions but you're too sarcastic and nonsensical. Make sure you have a right laugh to yourself with your head in the sand in your delusions as other people are trying to go over real issues in the world.

Gimme A Pound · 03-11-2018 6:34pm

Sarcastic yes, nonsensical no.

None of this is being forced on anyone by this private company - why the confidence that this means doom? And why do you bring up on this and another thread the haves and have nots? What's the relevance?

Ireland is not like America. Crooks aside, people who make a lot of money work extremely hard for it. Money doesn't just land at your feet. And they pay a good chunk of tax. There is a social welfare system which ensures far better support than in other countries.

Potential-Monke · 03-11-2018 6:40pm

I can see the OPs point to a degree. If they use this to load premiums I'm against it. I already have to pay for everyone else to have medical cover for their pregnancies and children, even though I don't ever intend on having them, but tough, I have to pay it to make it more affordable for people who make that choice. I don't trust health insurance companies, but good thing we have the GDPR, so after your genetic test you can tell them to delete everything to do with you!

Guy:Incognito · 03-11-2018 6:53pm

Daniel Flat Memorial wrote: »

It is?

Why? And why particularly VH I (not 1)?

Maybe he's confused and its actually the music channel he hates.

AndrewJRenko · 03-11-2018 9:26pm

The Disability Act 2005 covers genetic testing, though I'm not sure that the 'regulations' under the Data Protection Acts envisaged have ever come through:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2005/act/14/enacted/en/print#part4

I'm fairly sure that the review of that section of the Act by 2014 hasn't come through.

dxhound2005 · 03-11-2018 9:36pm

Patww79 wrote: »

Is he the new stock reply to everything?

Who shot JFK? Peter Casey HAHAHA.

Some people seem to think it was me. I have been asked a few times where I was when he was shot.

coffee_cake · 03-11-2018 11:15pm

I do see the issue if they use it to decline claims for stuff that could have been a genetic predisposition and that opens up a whole can of worms

VHI allowing genetic testing already?

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