Singapore to enshrine safeguards ensuring genetic test results stay off insurance records: Ong Ye Kung
Genetic testing results from Singapore’s national programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) will not be used in insurance underwriting, as safeguards are now in place and will be reinforced through upcoming legislation, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has confirmed.
- Genetic test results from the national FH programme cannot be used in insurance underwriting.
- A moratorium banning such use has been expanded and will be enshrined in law by mid-2026.
- Genomic Assessment Centres have been launched to support early FH testing and care.
Safeguards are being reinforced to ensure that genetic testing results, particularly those from Singapore’s national familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) screening programme, are not used by insurers in underwriting decisions.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced the measure on 19 January during the official opening of Singapore’s first Genomic Assessment Centre (GAC) at the National Heart Centre Singapore.
FH is a genetic condition that severely impairs the body’s ability to regulate cholesterol levels. If left untreated, it can lead to premature cardiovascular disease. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated FH causes heart attacks in up to 50 per cent of men by age 50, and in up to 30 per cent of women by age 60.
Minister Ong clarified that if a person has a confirmed diagnosis of hypercholesterolaemia, they are only required to disclose that diagnosis—not any underlying genetic findings—when applying for insurance.
He stressed, “Undergoing genetic testing does not place individuals in a worse position, as far as insurance underwriting is concerned.”
Expanded moratorium on use of genetic data
A moratorium introduced in 2021 banned life insurers from using predictive genetic test results in most underwriting scenarios. This was further expanded on 30 June 2025, through a joint initiative between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Life Insurance Association (LIA).
The latest moratorium now prohibits insurers from requesting or using any genetic test results from the national FH genetic testing programme. This includes results from biomedical research or direct-to-consumer genetic tests.
However, Minister Ong acknowledged that limited exceptions may be made for high-value policies.
He cited the example of individuals who might use genetic knowledge to purchase large insurance policies before the onset of disease. For policies with payouts of S$1 million or more, insurers may be allowed to request further medical information to ensure fairness—a practice he noted is consistent with international norms.
Legislation to entrench protections
MOH intends to formalise these safeguards through legislation.
Public and stakeholder consultation on the proposed legal framework is scheduled for the first half of 2026. This move aims to provide even greater assurance to individuals who may be hesitant to undergo testing due to concerns over privacy and discrimination.
Among those referred for FH testing, only about 40 per cent proceeded with the test. Many cited fears over insurance, employment implications, or social stigma.
“These safeguards should provide individuals with better peace of mind to undergo FH genetic testing... and benefit from preventive and earlier intervention,” said Minister Ong.
Expansion of FH testing across healthcare clusters
Singapore’s national FH genetic testing programme has already referred more than 1,000 individuals for testing through the SingHealth GAC, which began operations on 30 June 2025.
As of 2 January 2026, two additional healthcare clusters—National Healthcare Group (NHG) and National University Health System (NUHS)—have launched their own GACs to increase access and coverage.
NHG Health has set up centres at Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Centre in Novena and Admiralty Medical Centre’s Diabetes Centre in Woodlands. NUHS’ GAC is based at the National University Hospital.
FH remains the only genetic condition currently subsidised under a national programme, though MOH is exploring similar initiatives for other hereditary conditions.
The next potential focus is hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, which Minister Ong mentioned in November 2025 as a likely candidate for future expansion.
Genomics and AI integration
Looking forward, MOH is examining how artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into genomics-enabled care.
Minister Ong said the ministry is evaluating how AI might refine the FH programme by improving the identification of high-risk individuals.
He emphasised the need for evolving professional standards and societal guardrails to keep pace with technological advancements, in order to maintain public trust in healthcare.
“Ultimately... decisions about genetic testing should be guided by health considerations, not insurance considerations,” he said.
