WHAT a completely rotten dilemma for local identical twins Debbi Crowder and Amanda Firth.

Because they were both diagnosed with breast cancer within a year of each other -- although now, thankfully, they are in good health -- they both volunteered to take part in genetic research at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester.

However, they are unsure whether to continue. They fear that insurance companies could penalise their children using these findings if future legislation allowed such sensitive information to be available.

While the Association of British Insurers says that such rights are currently very limited, the twins' fears are entirely understandable.

The law has an uncomfortable way of being tailored to suit the latest medical researches, and not always in favour of individuals.

The situation is both a sad reflection of glaring legal anomalies, and of how trying to aid the public's health can sometimes exact an unexpected personal toll.