基因資訊於人身保險核保使用的妥當性

Abstract

基因科技的發展使得人類得以藉由基因資訊，來預測未來的健康狀況及罹病機率。保險所承保的危險為發生與否與發生時間不確定之事故，故所有關於人類未來健康之資訊，均應提供予保險人作為核保之考量因素。然而，因基因資訊涉及個人、家族及族群隱私性，再加上目前基因檢驗結果的精確性尚不足，導致對於保險人得否以基因資訊作為人身保險核保的適法性及妥當性遭到質疑。就反對基因資訊作為核保依據的支持者所提出之理由，本文以法理上之基礎提出辨正，並從實質平等權的概念說明基因資訊運用於核保上具有其正當性。最後，介紹及分析美國及歐洲對於基因資訊於人身保險使用的立法對策，並提出兼採隱私權及反歧視模式的立法建議，希冀作為我國日後對於基因資訊於人身保險使用規範之立法參考。

With the development of genetic technology, people are increasingly able to predict a human being’s health condition and the possibility of contracting a disease based on genetic information. Insurance is considered as an instrument providing coverage to risks associated with the uncertainty on its occurrence and the unknown time of occurrence. With respect to life or health insurance, for the purpose of determining the insurability and premium, the insured is obliged to disclose all information deemed material to the judgment of the insured’s future condition of health. However, genetic information involves the privacy of individual, family and race; moreover, current genetic testing cannot reach a high degree of accuracy; these factors lead to the question: Is it appropriate and justifiable for an insurer to employ genetic information as material for underwriting in life insurance.By means of legal analysis and the concept of equal rights, this paper expresses the justification of the use of genetic information for underwriting in life insurance and presents different viewpoints to opponents of genetic information. In conclusion, it presents and analyses the legislative strategies of the United States and Europe for applying genetic information in underwriting; meanwhile, it extends legislative suggestions by modes of privacy and nondiscrimination. The author anticipates that these suggestions could be adopted as a reference resource when legislation for restricting genetic information in insurance is enacted.