Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether people at risk of Huntington’s disease are able to serve in the armed forces without the need to provide a negative predictive test upon recruitment.

The genetics of Huntington's disease are complex and the likelihood of an Armed Forces candidate developing the disease and the likely age of presentation are dependent on the number of gene repeats. In some cases it is possible to predict these with a high level of certainty, based either on genetic testing of immediate relatives or of the candidate themselves.

Candidates known to be carriers of the gene associated with Huntington's disease are normally graded medically unfit for service. Candidates with a proven, immediate family history of this condition are also normally graded medically unfit unless known not to carry the gene.

If there is clear evidence that a candidate is unlikely to develop Huntington's disease during a Service career then they may, on a case by case basis, be considered medical fit for service. It is for the candidate to provide this evidence, which must be supported by an appropriately qualified and experienced specialist.