On 7 August 2026, the Ministry of Health (“MOH“) launched a public consultation on a proposed bill to strengthen safeguards governing the use of genetic information (“Bill“). The consultation ended on 4 September 2026.
Background
Genetic testing can identify a person’s predisposition to certain diseases, enabling earlier preventive action, screening or treatment, and supporting better health outcomes. To expand access to such testing, MOH has been rolling out national programmes for genetic tests where effective interventions are available. These include the National Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Genetic Testing Programme, launched in June 2025, and subsidies for genetic testing and related interventions for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer from December 2026.
However, concerns that genetic information could be used beyond healthcare contexts, such as for insurance underwriting or employment decisions, may deter individuals from undergoing testing, even where doing so could improve their health. Ensuring appropriate protection and use of genetic information will therefore be key to building public confidence and realising the full benefits of genetic testing.
Rationale for Protecting Genetic Information
MOH intends to introduce stronger legislative safeguards through the proposed Bill, setting clear rules on the use of genetic information in non-clinical contexts, initially insurance and employment. The proposed Bill builds on the 2021 MOH–Life Insurance Association Moratorium on Genetic Testing and Insurance, which limits the use of genetic test results in insurance underwriting.
Genetic information differs from other types of personal information because it is unique to each person, immutable and may reveal information about a person’s close biological relatives. Genetic testing also typically indicates only an increased disease risk, rather than a confirmed or inevitable diagnosis, as whether a disease develops often depends on other factors, such as lifestyle and diet.
Accordingly, the proposed Bill is guided by the principle that individuals should not be assessed based on their genetic predispositions, while balancing this protection against broader societal concerns, including the risk of anti-selection in insurance.
Key Features
The key features of the proposed Bill are set out below.
Genetic Information Protected
The proposed Bill will cover an individual’s genetic information and the genetic information of the individual’s biological relatives/family members.[1] It includes: (i) an individual’s genetic predispositions; and (ii) any genetic tests taken by the individual and the results, regardless of the reason for the genetic test, including for clinical (e.g. assess, diagnose or predict a condition), non-clinical (e.g. general wellness), or research purposes.
Genetic information does not include (i) an individual’s current health conditions; and (ii) any family history of individuals’ medical conditions.
Applicability
The proposed Bill will initially apply to insurers and employers in respect of all insurance policies and all forms of employment recognised under Singapore law involving Singapore residents. Specifically, it will apply:
- to all insurers licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS“) in relation to insurance underwriting, including the assessment of an applicant’s risk profile to determine policy terms and coverage; and
- to all stages of employment and employment-related decision-making, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, performance evaluation, termination, dismissal or retrenchment.
Other sectors may be brought within the scope of the proposed Bill in future to ensure that the protections remain relevant.
Key obligations for insurers and employers are as follows:
| Insurance | Employment |
|---|---|
| 1. Insurers cannot require or pressure individuals to undergo genetic testing as a condition for insurance coverage. | 1. Employers cannot require or pressure individuals to take a genetic test as a condition of employment. |
| 2. Insurers cannot ask for or use genetic information, including undiagnosed genetic predispositions, when assessing insurance applications, coverage, premiums or policy terms. | 2. Employers cannot request or use genetic information, including undiagnosed genetic predispositions, when making employment decisions such as hiring, promotion or termination. |
The above obligations will apply regardless of whether:
the genetic information was accidentally disclosed;
the individual voluntarily disclosed the genetic information for his advantage; and
- the insurer or employer obtained the genetic information before the proposed Bill comes into force.
Exceptions
To balance genetic information protection with a sustainable insurance system, the proposed Bill will introduce a financial limit exception. This means insurers may request and use genetic information for policies above a prescribed financial limit, but not for policies below it. To this end, MOH is working with MAS and the insurance industry to determine an appropriate financial limit, which will be set on a per-policy basis and calibrated against benchmarks.
Additional exceptions may be introduced in future to keep pace with developments and emerging use cases.
Click on the following links for more information (available on the MOH website at www.moh.gov.sg):
- MOH Press Release titled “Public Consultation on Proposed Bill to Protect Genetic Information”
- Proposed Bill on Protecting Genetic Information: Public Consultation – Policy Document
If you have any queries on the above, please reach out to our team set out on this page.
For regional Medical, Healthcare and Life Sciences matters, please see Rajah & Tann Asia’s Medical, Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice for more information.
[1] Genetic information includes raw genetic information (e.g. whole exome or genome sequencing information) and processed information obtained from genetic testing (e.g. a genetic test result).
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