Opinion: Why New Zealanders are vulnerable to genetic discrimination in health and life insurance
OPINION: Genetic testing is increasingly used as part of routine healthcare to determine a patient’s risk for some conditions, including certain cancers.
But insurers can use genetic test results to refuse cover or increase premiums. This is called genetic discrimination – the use of someone’s genetic information to treat them differently.
New research underway to find link between breast cancer and obesity in Auckland
Our Seminar Series co-ordinator Emma Nolan recently talked to Newshub about setting up a new laboratory in Auckland specialising in breast cancer research.
Doctors call for ban on insurers accessing genetic tests
A group of academics called AGenDA wrote an editorial in NZMJ detailing genetic discrimination in New Zealand. This video explains how this occurs and features CCR Director Andrew Shelling. Watch out for a cameo from CCR Director Peter Browett (masked and chatting to Andrew)
Advocates want ban on insurers accessing genetic test results
A top medical researcher says many patients decline vital genetic tests out of fear they could lose their insurance cover because of it.
Auckland University Centre for Cancer Research acting director Professor Andrew Shelling said that was wrong and it must stop.
He’s part of a group of clinicians, researchers and patient advocates who are calling for a ban on insurers accessing New Zealanders’ genetic test results.
Professor Shelling spoke to Corin Dann.
Genomic discrimination in New Zealand health and life insurance. AGenDA: Against Genomic Discrimination in Aotearoa
Genetic testing to detect risk for conditions like certain cancers, and cardiac or neurological conditions can save lives through early preventative interventions and/or improved targeted therapy.
Take a look at your impact – THYmine2
Over the past 3 years, your support has funded the THYmine2 clinical study. The study is investigating an innovative new test to identify if a patient undergoing treatment for gut cancers is at risk of life-threatening side effects. Lead investigator Dr Nuala Helsby discusses the difference the test could make, and the importance of your support in making it happen. Funding from the CCR Li Family Funding Round enabled this research to succeed and we are so proud of the researchers involved and their award of further funding.
February Newsletter
Update on what the Centre for Cancer Research has been up to.
Research Evolution
In the past decade, cancer research undertaken at the University of Auckland has changed lives. Our top scientists say it has now entered the next frontier and there’s hope that cancer could eventually be brought under control.
Professor Cristin Print wins prestigious cancer research award
Cristin Print, professor in molecular medicine and pathology, has won a prestigious award for cancer research in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tomorrow’s cancer drugs for the patients of today
New Zealand can now foot it globally when it comes to advanced clinical trials of the latest cancer drugs. More importantly, trials are saving the lives of patients who had lost hope.