Many studies have documented concerns about the risks of genetic testing. All of the American studies were conducted before implementation of the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) in the United States. One of the most commonly cited fears is that a positive genetic test will interfere with obtaining or keeping affordable health insurance (Meiser et al., 2005; Roberts et al., 2005; Trippitelli et al., 1998; Wilde et al., 2010). Concern about insurance in general was mentioned by 63% of affective disorder patients participating in genetic research (n=95) and their family members (n=105) (Meiser et al., 2008), by 73% of unaffected persons enrolled in genetic research on depression (n=128) (Wilhelm et al., 2009), and by 93% of psychiatrists at a CME course (Finn et al., 2005). Although GINA bans discrimination in health insurance coverage decisions on the basis of genetic information, other forms of insurance in the U.S. remain unregulated.
