ABSTRACT
The field of medical genetics is developing so rapidly that there is a strong possibility that present or future laws relating to genetics and insurance might be outdated rapidly. This chapter describes how both clinical geneticists and insurers in the UK have developed standards for handling the interface between genetics and insurance. It also examines exactly what the clinical geneticist does, how this provides support for families with genetic risks and indicates suggestions which families, and the umbrella organization, the Genetic Interest Group, have mentioned to the author about their needs in terms of insurance and other community/social inputs. The essential ethos of genetic counseling is to provide accurate information to those who wish this. The major developing element of genetic work is the provision of cancer genetic services in collaboration with site-specific specialists and oncologists.
