The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has extended for a further five years its ban on life insurers requiring customers to be genetically tested.

The Investment and Financial Services Association sought re-authorisation of the ban as part of its genetic testing policy, which provides that life insurers will not require applicants for life insurance to undergo genetic tests.

Life insurers have been operating under arrangements authorised by the ACCC since November 2000.

ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel says there is a public benefit in life insurers not coercing individuals to undergo genetic testing.

He says the ban could be reviewed if the newly established Human Genetics Advisory Committee recommends changes.

The committee is a principal committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council, established by the Federal Government.

“The ACCC is able to conduct an early review of the authorisation [if], for example, recommendations of the committee and/or subsequent changes in Government policy regarding genetic testing insurance warrant it,” Mr Samuel said.