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Making the normal deviant: The introduction of predictive medicine in life insurance

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  • Van Hoyweghen, Ine
  • Horstman, Klasien
  • Schepers, Rita

Abstract

Over the past years, one of the most discussed topics in policy debates on genetics has been the use of genetic testing in insurance. Many of these debates have been rather speculative and abstract. In a recent contribution to this journal, Kaufert therefore urged for "a proper research agenda" to study the issue, arguing for the need of anthropological and sociological research of the insurance world. This article will make a start with this. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in two Belgium insurance companies, this study analyses the ways insurers account for predictive medicine (lifestyle, genetics) during underwriting. We demonstrate how insurers highlight predictive lifestyle health information and how this articulates with a fault based approach in underwriting. Individual responsibility for health risks becomes the golden standard for assessing one's fitness for membership of the insurance pool. Moreover, these developments imply a changed concept of "normal standard" in insurance, increasing the conditions to fulfil to be part of the insurance group. Predictive medicine constitutes new ground in the old debates about individual control, responsibility and blame for health. This goes to the heart of the basis for citizenship and how this articulates with membership--or, if you want, exclusion--of the insurance pool.

Suggested Citation

  • Van Hoyweghen, Ine & Horstman, Klasien & Schepers, Rita, 2006. "Making the normal deviant: The introduction of predictive medicine in life insurance," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(5), pages 1225-1235, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:63:y:2006:i:5:p:1225-1235
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kaufert, Patricia A., 2000. "Health policy and the new genetics," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(6), pages 821-829, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vailly, Joëlle, 2008. "The expansion of abnormality and the biomedical norm: Neonatal screening, prenatal diagnosis and cystic fibrosis in France," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(12), pages 2532-2543, June.

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