Introduction

In chapter 3 we described the existing restrictions against the use of genetic information for the purpose of establishing insurance contracts in the north Atlantic countries. In this and the next chapter we question the sustainability of these restrictions. Thus the present chapter analyses how international trade in personal insurance could undermine the existing national regulations. Chapter 6 points to the fact that these regulations do not rest on a legally coherent and uniform ground, and that therefore there are no principal reasons why they should remain in their present form if it turns out, as we claim, that they do not satisfy the ends for which they were initially set up.

Our discussion in the present chapter has been structured as follows. In section 5.2 we describe the deepening internationalisation that has characterised global economic development during the past several decades. In addition, we briefly explore the triggers behind and consequences of the international integration trends. Section 5.3 points to the commercial niche that is being established as a result of the existing prohibitions in an increasing number of countries against the use of genetic information in insurance. We also make an assessment of the importance of this niche under a variety of circumstances, in particular to establish whether there are sufficient incentives for individuals to seek insurance outside the reach of the regulating authorities.