As part of an experiment to see how far they can push their risk aversion, an insurance agent taps a name into the national DNA database. They learn something disturbing. The healthy client applying for life insurance has a genetic disorder and runs a 90% chance of contracting a deadly coronary disease by age 46 - 2 years hence. The insurance company rejects the client's application, without giving specifics beyond "pre-existing condition".

When pressed by an irate client with no known pre-existing conditions, the agent folds and says that according to the medical evidence, they can't carry the risk.

Now the client is really pissed and asks them to be more specific. The agent breaks down and explains the prognosis according to the DNA evidence. Sorry. The agent puts the phone down, assuming it will be another typical day at the office. Wrong!

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The dejected, rejected applicant is mortified to learn of his pending doom, from an insurance company. He is doubly annoyed that they would go to such unethical lengths to avoid any risk whatsoever. He is inspired to go to the insurance company office to give them a piece of his mind.

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In court, the judge asks the murderer of 6 insurance agents why he did it. His reply sends shivers down the spine of every insurance loss adjuster thinking of using futuristic tests to determine who they will or won't insure.

"By using genetic testing to cover their asses, they proved that I had nothing to lose. I just did what I and millions of others have wanted to do to insurance companies for years."

I wonder if the loss adjusters at the top have thought this scenario through. If so, are they heartless enough to use genetic information in their screening process? Perhaps they are already working out the survival odds for insurance agents who tell clients about a dormant medical condition they would rather not have known about.

Just a thought inspired by a few spineless insurers who won't insure us to live aboard a wooden boat!