Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Gen Re Life/Health Research and Development, Dr John O'Brien, discusses the impacts of Gene Modification for life/health insurance.

Affordable gene sequencing and initiatives such as the 100 000 genome project, have provided information on genetic links to many diseases. Precise gene abnormalities for previously described genetic diseases can now be identified. This identification can facilitate avoidance of these conditions by pre-implantation diagnosis. The next step is to see how these genes can be manipulated to correct the abnormalities. Exciting techniques such as CRISPR and viral vectors show promise in treating some serious and devastating diseases. The ability to change genes does, predictably, pose ethical dilemmas.