Strasbourg, 09.11.2007 - Around one hundred experts and representatives of insurance companies, consumers' organisations and patients' associations from all 47 Council of Europe member states will meet in Strasbourg on 3 and 4 December for discussions on the theme of "Predictivity, genetic tests and insurance".
The seminar will provide an opportunity to discuss not only the latest developments in gene identification and the implications for insurance, but also the relevance of other medical examinations needed to take out insurance policies. Participants will compare national risk assessment practices and the justification for medical examinations from both the technical and the ethical/legal points of view. The following are some of the questions that will be discussed: * Is there an "individual right to insurance"? * What role does insurance play in a developed society? * What are the respective roles in society of commercial insurance and national solidarity? * What are the problems with interpreting genetic tests concerning multifactor diseases? * Does direct-access testing raise specific problems for insurance? * Does a high level of protection for those people who are potentially at risk discriminate against healthy people? * Is a European approach relevant in a globalised market? The Council of Europe's Steering Committee on Bioethics (CDBI) will use this event to begin work on devising a future European legal instrument on genetic tests and insurance. The seminar is open to the press. <http://www.coe.int/t/e/legal_affairs/legal_co-operation/bioethics/News/prog ramme%20minuté%20e.asp#TopOfPage> <http://www.coe.int/t/e/legal_affairs/legal_co-operation/bioethics/News/prog ramme%20minuté%20e.asp#TopOfPage> Link to the programme <http://www.coe.int/t/dc/files/themes/bioethique/default_EN.asp?> Link to file To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact : <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47 member states. Mariana NITELEA Director Information Office of the Council of Europe in Bucharest 6, Alexandru Donici Street, Sector 2, 020478 Bucharest Tel: + 40 21 211 68 10 Fax: + 40 21 211 99 97 E-mail:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet: <http://www.coe.ro/> www.coe.ro
