Singapore has made significant strides in precision medicine, yet legal protections against genetic discrimination (GD) remain limited. Current safeguards are confined to a non-binding moratorium on the use of genetic test results in insurance underwriting, with no formal protections in employment. This study investigates the prevalence of perceived GD and factors influencing willingness to undergo genetic testing in Singapore.
A cross-sectional online survey of 1,000 members of the general public was conducted to assess experiences of GD across sectors, awareness of existing safeguards, and willingness to undergo medically indicated genetic testing. Results showed that 20% of respondents perceived discrimination in insurance and 9% in employment contexts. Fewer than half could correctly identify current protections.
Sixty-four percent expressed willingness to undergo genetic testing if medically recommended. Willingness was positively associated with higher education, trust in the healthcare system, and perceptions of fair treatment. It was negatively associated with older age, parental status, genetic determinism, and certain cultural-religious beliefs.
These findings suggest that public willingness to engage with genomic medicine is constrained not only by structural gaps in legal protection, but also by cultural and psychological factors. The relatively high levels of perceived GD, combined with low awareness of existing safeguards, underscore the urgency of enacting comprehensive, legally binding protections. Public education efforts are also essential to ensure that genomic advances do not exacerbate health inequalities or erode trust.