HSBC Insurance in Hong Kong is enhancing its suite of protection solutions with the addition of ONEdna, a health screening genetic test service.

HSBC’s protection solutions include flexible premium payment options, whole of life protection and additional critical illness cover to help protect customers and their loved ones at each life stage.

However the addition of genetic testing could mean the client banking relationship moves up to another level of intimacy.

The bank says that genetic test results from ONEdna will give HSBC customers better information on their health status and risk of diseases, as well as nutrient response, optimal diet and an understanding of their senstitivities to commonly-prescribed medications.

Sensitive Parameters Crossed?

The test results might of course tell the lender a lot more than a client might volunteer via a standard form.

«The most important asset people have is their health – as such we believe that providing ONEdna to our customers will give them additional information to help them better manage their health risks,» said Edward Moncreiffe, Interim CEO and Head of Distribution, HSBC Insurance Hong Kong.

Your Lifespan Predicted

ONEdna is provided by Prenetics, a leading genetic testing company based in Hong Kong, and is exclusively for HSBC Insurance customers.

The test is an innovative solution to make health become more predictive, proactive and preventative. 

ONEdna provides a comprehensive view and analysis of an individual’s genes, including:

  • Health risk – Discover one’s genetic predisposition for highly preventable health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity.
  • Dietary & nutrients – Optimise one’s diet by understanding how his/her genes affect their response to foods and nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, vitamin C and more; helping people partake in a diet most suited to his/her genes.
  • Drug response – To avoid adverse drug reactions.
  • Inherited cancer screen [optional screening for those with family history of cancer] – Identify genetic mutations associated with eight common cancers: breast, ovarian, colorectal, melanoma, pancreatic, prostate, stomach, and uterine.