Epigenetic tests measure DNA methylation changes in response to environmental factors and lifestyle choices (alcohol and tobacco use, etc.).
The type of epigenetic test matters - especially as to whether regulators consider it a genetic test!
There are two types of testing methods underwriters should know about when using epigenetics for life insurance applicants:
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Array hybridization, which measures genome-wide methylation and may accidentally capture genetic variation, falling within the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)
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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which measures methylation at small numbers of loci without capturing genetic info
In this article, we look closely at the differences between these methods for measuring DNA methylation and how they may affect underwriting.
