Ethics of predictive testing for Huntington's chorea.

represented in the "for" and "against" replies.Perhaps the Medical Defence Union could give a public breakdown of these replies. S B BARRrrDepartmnt of Microbiology, Southend Hospital, Westcliffon Sea SSO ORY SIR,-We all have recently become aware of the 700/% increase in the standard subscription rates to the medical defence bodies, with the prospect of American sized premiums on the horizon.The societies point out that we are paying less for our cover than comparable professionals such as architects and solicitors, but for these groups the cover may be a practice expense.This premium falls unfairly on the hospital doctor, who does not have this option, and to whom it is a substantial expense.The time has come for our employing authorities to take over the responsibility for paying the subscrption, as dtey do for the non-medical staff they employ.In the past there has been resstance to this from doctors not wholly employed in the NHS, but for them the health authority could contribute a proportiion of the premium de ng on the number ofsessions they are employed for.PEIER COE Depatmet of Anasathetics, WsHospind, TLoudo SEI SIt,-The recent 70% increase in medical defence subscriptions announced by the Medical Defence Union and the Medical Protection Society may be no surprise to those who are aware of the outcome of recent medical malpractice cases but still comes as a shock to most junior hospital doctors.The considerable recent rise in the cost ofinsurance has eff&tivy reduced our meagre sahry increases by