MOH seeks feedback on proposed Genetic Information Bill

27 August 2026

On 7 August 2026, the Ministry of Health (“MOH”) announced a public consultation to seek views on a proposed Genetic Information Bill to strengthen safeguards on the use of genetic information. The consultation closes on 4 September 2026. The Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2027.

Objectives of the proposed Bill

Genetic testing can be used to identify an individual’s genetic predisposition to specific diseases. However, individuals may be deterred from undergoing potentially beneficial genetic testing due to concerns about how their results could be used outside of healthcare settings - particularly if such results could be used adversely by insurers or employers when making decisions about insurance or employment matters affecting the individuals.

To give individuals confidence that their genetic information will be appropriately protected and used, MOH intends for the proposed Bill to set out clear rules on the use of genetic information (whether obtained via national genetic testing programmes, or otherwise) in non-clinical settings. This builds on the Moratorium on Genetic Testing and Insurance that was developed by MOH and the Life Insurance Association and introduced in 2021 to protect genetic test results from use in insurance underwriting.

Key protections

As a start, the proposed Bill will apply to insurers and employers in relation to all insurance policies and all forms of employment recognised under Singapore law, for Singapore residents. This is in line with the legislative provisions of other jurisdictions such as the United States, Switzerland, and Germany, which similarly protect the use of genetic information in the context of insurance and employment.

The key obligations for insurers and employers under the proposed Bill are set out below.

These obligations will apply even if the genetic information is accidentally or voluntarily disclosed, or if the insurer or employer obtained the genetic information before the proposed Bill comes into effect.

MOH will also have the flexibility to extend the legislative protections to other sectors beyond insurance and employment if needed in the future, to ensure that protections remain relevant in the face of rapid advancements in genetic testing and precision medicine.

Exceptions

The intent of insurance is for society to protect themselves and share the risk of uncertain and unexpected events. However, when genetic information is protected, there is a possibility that some individuals may choose to purchase high-value insurance policies with knowledge of a near-assured pay-out, if they already know from a genetic test that they are very likely to develop a severe disease.  Such a practice is undesirable as it could drive up premiums for all insureds.

To strike a balance between protecting an individual’s genetic information and ensuring a sustainable insurance system, the proposed Bill will include a financial limit exception for insurance, in which insurers will be allowed to request and use genetic information when assessing applications for coverage with a large sum assured or pay-out above this limit. MOH is working with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the insurance industry to determine an appropriate financial limit.

Reference materials

The press release and public consultation can be found on the MOH website www.moh.gov.sg.