Sports in Your Genes?
Genetics and personalized medicine are the wave of the future. Certain genetic tests for diseases such as breast cancer have been becoming popular and will continue to be important as time goes on.
But some genetic tests may be, in some people's eyes, unnecessary. The New York Times recently ran an article on a genetic test that examines the ACTN3 gene and, for $149, can tell a parent what sports their child may excel at. The test includes a swab inside the child's cheek and along the gums, and it can show whether he or she may be better at endurance (i.e., distance running) or speed and power sports (i.e., football). One mom interviewed in the article said it was a good way to match children with the right activity.
Is this test offered by Atlas Sports Genetics worth $149? Whatever happened to good old trial and error when it comes to finding out what sport you are good at and enjoy?
My sister and I both played sports when we were younger. Where Emily pretty much excelled effortlessly at any sport she played, I had to work hard to be halfway decent. If I would have gotten this test done, would my parents have encouraged me to bag sports and concentrate on something else (which I eventually did anyway)? Would this test have told Emily what sport she should have concentrated on, instead of playing four different ones during her high school career?
To me, this test seems like a waste of money and could possibly drag the name of genetic testing through the mud. Most children do not end up playing in the NBA or at Wimbledon. Not every kid is Michael Jordan or Serena Williams -- many great young athletes don't even play sports past high school (including my ultra athletic sister). Kids play sports to have fun, be a part of a team, for friendly competition and for exercise. Why spend money to push your children to play a certain sport? Save it and put it towards knee pads, mouth guards and gas so you can get to that soccer game that's an hour away.
Genetic tests should be available for predicting hereditary diseases and other important instances -- not deciding if Johnny should run cross country or be a quarterback.