【文章预读】

Unlike diagnostic genetic tests, predictive ones are conducted on people without symptoms. The best-known example was provided by Angelina Jolie, an actress who discovered she had a gene mutation that markedly raised her risk of breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy.
Tests might influence financial as well as medical decisions. A person at increased risk of dying young may want to buy life insurance. Someone likely to contract cancer may buy cancer or critical-illness cover, which pays a lump sum upon diagnosis. Because predictive tests—unlike diagnostic ones—often need not be disclosed, the customer can secure an advantage over a future insurer.
So underwriters warn that predictive genetic testing could well lead to adverse selection. The New York Times recently reported on a woman who bought long-term care insurance after testing positive for ApoE4, a mutation of a gene related to increased risk of Alzheimer’s. The insurer had tested her memory three times before issuing the policy, but could not know about the genetic result. Robert Green, at Harvard University, found that people told they have the mutation were five times more likely to buy long-term care insurance than those without such information.


【文章精讲】

Unlike diagnostic genetic tests, predictive ones are conducted on people without symptoms. The best-known example was provided by Angelina Jolie, an actress who discovered she had a gene mutation that markedly raised her risk of breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy.

diagnostic adj.诊断的
- diagnosis n.诊断
conduct v.实施
symptom n.症状
mutation n.变异
markedly adv.显著地 (very noticeable)
undergo v.忍受 (endure)
mastectomy n.乳房切除手术

Tests might influence financial as well as medical decisions. A person at increased risk of dying young may want to buy life insurance. Someone likely to contract cancer may buy cancer or critical-illness cover, which pays a lump sum upon diagnosis. Because predictive tests—unlike diagnostic ones—often need not be disclosed, the customer can secure an advantage over a future insurer.

contract v.得病
- contract the disease
critical adj.严重的，重要的
- critical illness
lump sum 一次性付款
- lump 总和，一堆，肿块
- a lump of clay
diagnosis n.诊断

disclose v.公开

So underwriters warn that predictive genetic testing could well lead to adverse selection. The New York Times recently reported on a woman who bought long-term care insurance after testing positive for ApoE4, a mutation of a gene related to increased risk of Alzheimer’s. The insurer had tested her memory three times before issuing the policy, but could not know about the genetic result. Robert Green, at Harvard University, found that people told they have the mutation were five times more likely to buy long-term care insurance than those without such information.

underwriter n.保险商
adverse adj.反向的
- adverse selection （insurance）逆选择（因有风险才购买保险）


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1.The best-known example was provided by ….
2.markedly raise…
3.secure an advantage over…