Public Consultation on the Proposed Bill on Protecting Genetic Information

Ministry of Health

Consultation Period: 7 Aug 2026 to 4 Sep 2026

Status: Closed

Detailed Description

Introduction

1. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is conducting a public consultation from 7 August 2026 to 4 September 2026 to seek views on a proposed Bill to strengthen safeguards on the use of genetic information.

Genetic Testing

2. Genetic testing examines a person’s DNA, RNA, chromosomes, or genes and can be used to identify an individual’s genetic predisposition to specific diseases. With an understanding of one’s risk profile, an individual can then take preventive steps to reduce the likelihood of developing those diseases, such as adopting a healthier lifestyle, going for regular screening or receiving earlier treatment. This leads to better health outcomes for individuals, their families and society.

3. To bring the benefits of genetic testing to more Singaporeans, MOH is establishing national programmes to improve access for specific genetic tests, where there are clear and proven follow-on interventions which will enable individuals to modify their risk. The first such programme is the National Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Genetic Testing Programme, launched in June 2025.  Building on this, MOH will also be subsidising genetic testing and the relevant downstream interventions for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer from December 2026.

4. However, individuals may hesitate to go for genetic testing due to concerns about how their results could be used outside of healthcare settings, such as in insurance underwriting and employment decisions. Such fears discourage people from getting tested, even when it benefits their health.

5. To scale genetic testing and reap its full benefits, it is important that individuals have confidence that their genetic information will be appropriately protected and used.

Proposed Bill on Protecting Genetic Information

6. MOH will be introducing stronger legal protections through the proposed Bill, which will set out clear rules on the use of genetic information in non-clinical settings, starting with insurance and employment. This builds on the current MOH-Life Insurance Association (LIA) Moratorium on Genetic Testing and Insurance, introduced in 2021, which seeks to protect genetic test results from use in insurance underwriting.

7. Broadly, the proposed Bill will prevent insurers and employers from requiring genetic testing and requesting or using genetic information in insurance and employment decisions. These protections will also extend beyond genetic information obtained under national programmes, to cover all genetic information, including those derived from commercially available genetic tests. This aims to give Singaporeans greater confidence to make decisions about genetic testing based on what is best for their own health.

Invitation to Provide Feedback

8. Please see the public consultation paper [PDF, 250.80 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)for further details on the proposed Bill, including the policy objectives and considerations.

9. While we will not be able to address or acknowledge every feedback or comment received during this public consultation, your feedback will contribute to MOH developing robust policies that give Singaporeans the confidence to make informed decisions about genetic testing and improve their health outcomes.

10. All feedback should be clearly and concisely written. Feedback will be kept confidential, but please provide your contact information to allow MOH to follow up, where applicable.

11. The public consultation will run from 7 August 2026, 10am to 4 September 2026, 6pm. Please submit your feedback on the proposed Bill at https://go.gov.sg/genetic-information-bill-consultation ↗ (opens in new tab).