This Time They've Gone Too Far...

[Almighty Colin]

This reminds me of a debate regarding insurance premiums. Is it ethical to charge someone more for insurance premiums based upon their race? Medical/life insurance companies can charge more based on age, whether one smokes, and a number of factors. Is it ethical to charge someone a higher rate because their race is at higher risk on average? Why should an 18 year old pay more for car insurance than a 26 year old?

There are obvious difference in a comparison but enough similarities to warrant an interesting discussion also.

Is it ethical to racially profile for security OR insurance reasons?

If not, why is it not ethical to racially profile people for their insurance premiums but it is ethical to consider one's age?

Furthermore, what if a DNA test at birth could determine susceptibility to a variety of illnesses? Should someone more at risk to a deadly disease have insurance premiums so high they might br able to afford them? Should that information be given to insurance companies? That could be a privacy issue too. But ...?