Born to Run? Little Ones Get Test for Sports Gene

News Type: Event — Seeded on Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:48 AM EST

Article Source: The New York Times

In health-conscious, sports-oriented Boulder, Atlas Sports Genetics is playing into the obsessions of parents by offering a $149 test that aims to predict a child's natural athletic strengths.

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{"commentId":4238777,"authorDomain":"jcatom"}

JCAtom

Dr. Ray Howe, a general practitioner in Denver, said he would rather see his 2-year-old, Joseph, find his own way in life and discover what sports he likes the best. Dr. Howe, a former professional cyclist, likened ACTN3 testing to gene testing for breast cancer or other diseases.
“You might be able to find those things out, but do you really want to know?” he said.
Others, like Lori Lacy, 36, said genetic testing would be inevitable. Ms. Lacy, who lives in Broomfield, Colo., has three children ranging in age from 2 months to 5 years.
“Parents will start to say, ‘I know one mom who’s doing the test on her son, so maybe we should do the test too,’ ” she said.
“Peer pressure and curiosity would send people over the edge. What if my son could be a pro football player and I don’t know it?”

{"commentId":4238777,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"jcatom"}

1 vote

#1 - Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:51 AM EST

{"commentId":4238784,"authorDomain":"jcatom"}

JCAtom

I think it's probably inevitable. I think that's sad.

{"commentId":4238784,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"jcatom"}

2 votes

#1.1 - Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:52 AM EST

{"commentId":4239527,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

dungbeetlemania

I'm with you there. What does it matter if a child is terrible at a particular sport, as long as he/she is enjoying it?

{"commentId":4239527,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

2 votes

#1.2 - Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:39 AM EST

{"commentId":4246088,"authorDomain":"wonderwoman351"}

BizEBea

What the hell is wrong with people?

{"commentId":4246088,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"wonderwoman351"}

3 votes

#1.3 - Mon Dec 1, 2008 11:45 AM EST

{"commentId":4252090,"authorDomain":"simchick"}

chick76

It doesn't have to be. This is what I think is wrong with genetic testing. Trying to make someone fit into a mold. Let people be unique and do what they want to do. So what if the child is genetically predisposed. That doesn't mean they will succeed. There is more to life than one's genes. This can snowball out of control if limits are not set now. How about inserting the gene so that people can try to make their children excel at whatever sport they want. Scary no?

{"commentId":4252090,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"simchick"}

2 votes

#1.4 - Mon Dec 1, 2008 7:34 PM EST

{"commentId":4241902,"authorDomain":"txtj1"}

txtj1

cha ching,.so u test em n they fail .,,.these people r lame enough to give them away

unbeliveable ,.,.note make law to show that kind of testing could be detramental to the childs rights n therfore agaist the law

{"commentId":4241902,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"txtj1"}

1 vote

#2 - Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:34 PM EST

{"commentId":4244114,"authorDomain":"solarglare"}

SolarGlare

With these tests, aren't we disregarding the drive and motivation a person can bring to a sport or activity? I know many people who, although their genes may not have provided them an advantage, have worked hard and become successful.

{"commentId":4244114,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"solarglare"}

2 votes

#3 - Mon Dec 1, 2008 3:36 AM EST

{"commentId":4244699,"authorDomain":"BeMyJellyfish"}

BeMyJellyfish

This is ridiculous! It looks like another way for someone to cash in. Besides, there is something called "talent" and I don't think that it has much to do with genetics!

{"commentId":4244699,"threadId":"430906","contentId":"2163032","authorDomain":"BeMyJellyfish"}

1 vote

#4 - Mon Dec 1, 2008 8:39 AM EST

{"commentId":4245538,"authorDomain":"michael-21"}

TheMichaelDeleted

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JCATOM

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Born to Run? Little Ones Get Test for Sports Gene

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