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DEL.ICIO.USWould you test your child’s genes for athletic ability?
Would little Johnny make a better runner or weight lifter? A company claims its gene test can tell you.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The New York Times reports that a company out of Boulder, Colo., will now test your child’s DNA for a specific gene that it says can help predict your child’s natural athletic abilities. Here’s the full story.
Times writer Juliet Macur reports: “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. The process is simple. Swab inside the child’s cheek and along the gums to collect DNA and return it to a lab for analysis of ACTN3, one gene among more than 20,000 in the human genome.”
“The test’s goal is to determine whether a person would be best at speed and power sports like sprinting or football, or endurance sports like distance running, or a combination of the two. A 2003 study discovered the link between ACTN3 and those athletic abilities.”
“In this era of genetic testing, DNA is being analyzed to determine predispositions to disease, but experts raise serious questions about marketing it as a first step in finding a child’s sports niche, which some parents consider the road to a college scholarship or a career as a professional athlete.”
“Atlas executives acknowledge that their test has limitations but say that it could provide guidelines for placing youngsters in sports. The company is focused on testing children from infancy to about 8 years old because physical tests to gauge future sports performance at that age are, at best, unreliable. …”
“Dr. Stephen M. Roth, director of the functional genomics laboratory at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health who has studied ACTN3, said he thought the test would become popular. But he had reservations.”
“ ‘The idea that it will be one or two genes that are contributing to the Michael Phelpses or the Usain Bolts of the world I think is shortsighted because it’s much more complex than that,’ he said, adding that athletic performance has been found to be affected by at least 200 genes.”
I try to not pass judgment on stuff until you guys get a chance to comment, but this story really bothers me.
I am a huge believer in letting kids try to a bunch of different things and see what they like and where they excel. I am not a big fan of the predestined to do anything. Who knows where the world will lead you and where you will develop a talent? Who knows who or what will influence the person your child becomes? I can’t imagine, even if they developed a 100-percent accurate test, telling a child at a young age “Your genes say you’ll be good at X so you’re doing that.”
The article gives an example of a Spanish long jumper who didn’t have the gene variant that should have indicated his success yet, he is an Olympic athlete. The article goes on to say that environment, training, nutrition and luck also contributes to an athlete’s successful performance.
What do you think? Would you or your husband be interested in having your children’s genes tested for athletic abilities? (The price isn’t that high, and the test isn’t painful.) What would you do with the results of the test? Would you only allow them to do the sports the gene test indicated success in?
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By Just what we need...
December 2, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
…more parents trying to MAKE their children be athletes - this is getting freakin’ crazy!
By Sugar
December 2, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Why don’t parents let kids be kids and enjoy their childhood without all the pressures?.
By motherjanegoose
December 2, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Not happening in our house. In fairness, I am not a sports mama….my sister is! They drive down to her son’s college ( 10 hours one way) several times per month just to see him play! I completely admire those who have the talent and drive to be successful in a sport. One of my daughter’s friend’s younger brother made the basketball team at their high school. This is no small feat! I made certain to tell his mother how proud she should be and that I thought it was great.
On the flip side, I can just see these parents whose child tested positive for a certain sport , making fools out of themselves as they argue with the coaches and push their children over the edge since ” the test showed you were destined to be a star…you just need a chance.” I am all for science but some things are better left to be discovered naturally….like those who do not want to know the sex of their baby until it is born!
This test will cause a stir between parents who feel they have automatic bragging rights and perhaps eliminate those who actually have the drive and ambition. Just my humble opinion.
Quick question…I am wondering if anyone knows the percentage of those children whose parents pay LOADS of money and then time to keep them in sports, that actually turn out to be professionals? I know many would disagree but playing an instrument is a life long pleasure and you do not see many women or men that are in their 30’s-50’s hussling up a game of baseball, basketball, soccer or football weekly
. I certainly think you should offer sports to your child…our son was into t-ball first, then soccer and then basketball but it never consumed out lives. He enjoyed it and we enjoyed watching him. Our daughter did the dance thing and then basketball in middle school and early high school on the rec league. ditto for her.
She also took piano and still sits down to play …she is teaching herself new Christmas songs now. I read somewhere that children who are musical have academic advantage…my son was not but my daughter is!
I cannot fathom spending $500-$1000 per month and then when they go off to college, that is the end of it. Did I miss something?
By lakerat
December 2, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Do you silly women have any REAL friends? Or do all your friends live in the computer?
I am so much better than all of you.
By Jesse's Girl
December 2, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
I’m more interested in the genetic testing that can tell me when my oldest will acquire some organizational skills and stop being the dumbest smart person ever….when my middle daughter will stop giving Oscar worthy explanations for everything and when my youngest will stop inventing ways to shorten my life expectancy. Now thats a test I can get behind.
By JJ
December 2, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Well my daughter played softball for years, but we NEVER funneled tons of money into it. It was through the rec leagues at the park. We both enjoyed it, but it was very time consuming. Some of the parents had their kids in travel ball, and I just don’t get it. Their entire weekends are centered around travelling around the southeast for tournaments. No thank you.
On one of her softball teams, the pitcher was involved in SO many activities, she didn’t have time to be a kid. Piano lessons on Monday, Tennis lessons on Tuesday, pitching lessons on Wednesday, tutoring on Thursdays, etc. Poor kid. Her mother was adamant on keeping her as busy as possible to keep her off drugs. Guess what, the kid crashed and burned in 9th grade. Last we heard, she had dropped out of high school, and was on drugs. I believe her mother pushed a little too hard.
My daughter enjoyed playing softball, but that was it. She needed time to be a teenager.
By MILF Hunter
December 2, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
I am getting the impression that lakerat is sooo not a MILF….
By JJ
December 2, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
MILF Hunter We are getting the impression you are an idiot.
By Stacey
December 2, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
No, this isn’t something that I am interested in. As MJG pointed out, just because the test showed that he has the “genes” to be a swimmer or basketball player doesn’t mean that he is destined to be the next Michael Phelps or Kobe Bryant. My son is only 7 but he is tall for his age and has huge hands. People ask him all of the time if he is going to be a basketball player when he grows up and he tells them no…he’s going to be a football player and a doctor. Most of the men in my family are well over six feet tall and there’s not an athlete in the bunch
By MA
December 2, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
No way! Let kids be kids. If they want to play a sport for the fun of it, then, let them play sports. Do not go overboard and push them. I know a family who pushed and pushed. The kid was good but not great. He killed himself and wrote in the note that it was his dad’s fault for pushing him. His dad went nuts! Do not PUSH! Let them be kids. My son played on a rec baseball team even though he was handicapped and had a great time for two seasons. His teammates were great with him(they were all younger - he got to play on a younger team because of his condition) but other teams were cruel to him. At one game our pitcher even walked over to their dugout and started yelling at the players for making fun of our son. Our coach had to hold him back. The umpires made their team apologize to our son.
Our daughter is in music and theater. She loves it and wants to pursue music education in college but she isn’t obsessed with it. Just does whatever plays or musicals she can to fit her schedule. We saw a modeling/acting company at a theater recently and she said, “I’m not interested. It is probably a scam anyway”. Smart girl. A friend of hers was so into it she signed up and her mom told us they went to the company and had to pay upfront $1,000 for pictures and an interview. She said they left. Her daughter was crushed! My daughter told her not to go but she didn’t listen.
By Jesse's Girl
December 2, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
MA…your son sounds cool as heck!
By akerat has seemingly...
December 2, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
…disappeared. The “troll lakerat” to whom you refer, is definitely not a MILF, as she is a he who trolls here regularly under various pseudonyms.
By motherjanegoose
December 2, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
stacey…my son is 6 foot 2 inches and was always stocky before college ( he lost 50 pounds and is now 185 or so and very trim). Everyone thought he should play football but he was not interested.
MA …I am so sad about the child who died because his Dad pushed him too much. I cannot imagine what that kid went through before his death…tragic!
Some parents try to live their dreams through their children…whether cheerleading, beauty contests, sports or music. I am all about striving…if THE CHILD wants it.
Now, homework and grades are another story…clean rooms too….hahaha!
Heading out to put on my new Christmas vest that my husband bought me on clearance last year…see yesterday’s post…LOL! He knows this is one gift I will wear!!!
By MA
December 2, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Jesse’s Girl, Thanks! Yes, my son is cool. He is in college now and majoring in Journalism/Broadcasting. He wants to be on ESPN. He told us, “Since I can’t play sports, I may as well write about them”. He has a knack for knowing very trivial sports information.
MJG - yes, it was very sad when our friend’s son killed himself. I was not kidding when I said the dad went nuts. He literally went to an insane asylum.
By Mike D
December 2, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
I’m all for genetically modifying or children to build a super race of beings. In the future I envision a population of super humans and nothing else.
By Rob
December 2, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
I’m happy to have been an athlete at the pro level. I’m glad that my Mom made me go to boxing practice. I live a life that I don’t think I would’ve achieved any other way. I respect those that don’t put as much emphasis on sports as my Mom did. Everyone has their own path to make. But for those who don’t understand or respect those who guide their children through an athletic life, obviously don’t understand that’s the reason those people become professional athletes. You just don’t wake up one day and say “I think I’m going to play pro football”…. It doesn’t work like that. ONLY in rare cases. It is a lifestyle that does not give immediate payoff in the beginning. But when it does…… WOW!
By MILF Hunter
December 2, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Wonders what he has done to garner such hostility from JJ????
I am here to spread joy to the masses…. and hit on some hot MILFS….
By motherjanegoose
December 2, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Rob…my hat is off to you and your family for achieving your goal.
I am certain it was I VERY hard and your Mom deserves KUDOS for sticking with it!. You have my admiration and support, as I am certain it was an arduous journey.
All I am saying is that for those few of you who have reached your goal, there are literally hundreds of thousands of kids who are being pushed and not really that interested a particular sport themselves.
Just curious, what do you think about the actual question in today’s topic? I think your comment would benefit all of us.
I am all about supporting your children when they have a chance but for those who may fare better in another pond…should they be pushed incessantly if the test determined it or should they just skip sports if the test says they are not inclined? Perhaps the test would have said you were suited to tennis…then what? ( I am not joking…just making a point)
You cannot wake up one day to be a success at anything…many of us may already know this…it takes hard work.
I had a teacher with her doctorate ( I do not have one) tell me that she wants to meet with me and find out how she can do what I do and make a living at it. FYI…if you are really good at something…you will be a success with hard work , diligence, an idea and a little bit of luck!
Rob…please know that I fully respect where you are and how much it took for you to get there!
By B
December 2, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Gene testing——no! Athletics is great for many reasons. As for turning pro; less than 1% of high school athletes will be pros in their sport. Our oldest played soccer, and only soccer, on traveling teams and in high school. Now in college with a partial athletic scholarship and academic HOPE. Without all those weekends at tournaments, etc that would not have been possible.
Our younger child plays soccer, but is also a very good golfer. Has also played basketball and baseball but now only for fun. We still do all the weekend travel, but for two sports as skill is high in both. Soon will have to make a choice, probably as a freshman in high school as the costs just get too much.
Soccer is hard on the body, but you can play well into your adult life. Golf is forever.
By MILF Hunter
December 2, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
For some kids…not for me in particular when I was growing up….but for some…..playing sports well is the only way they will be able to get a college education.
And for some of my friends their parents reminded them of that point every single day….play basketball well Bobby or you won’t get to go to college….you’ll end up flipping burger for the rest of your life. That is reality for some kids….and the only way they can escape a life of poverty in some instances.
By My Own Girl
December 2, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
MILF Hunter - What would we do without our burger flippers though? We do need experienced burger flippers don’t we? I love a good burger flipper….like a good pizza tosser
By MILF Hunter
December 2, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
@My Own Girl
Hey I didn’t say that I agreed with it….that’s just one of the things I remember my friend’s parents used to tell him.
Hey are you a MILF? By chance?
By My Own Girl
December 2, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Actually I am. Darn proud of it too. MILF extraordinaire? Are you actually a guy hunting for MILF’s or a woman pretending to be a guy hunting for MILF’s? Come on. You can be honest.
By Jesse's Girl
December 2, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
You know what? In all seriousness….as parents we do our children a collassal disservice by telling them that they can do and achieve anything. It simply isn’t true. Now, when they are very small and everything is still a magical experience,(like the ice-maker) then I can see….and have…telling your child that anything they dream is possible if they really try. Its just just not so. We can support and lift up our children without setting them up for heart breaking failure in the future. I know its not every parent’s dream come true…but someone has to pick up the trash, flip the burgers, maintain lawns, etc….Teach your children to give 100%…and they can and will discover their path. But if you push your child into something out of a vicarious need to feel validated or because you think that particular path will set them up financially…you are failing them as a parent. Children need to find their own way….and no amount of genetic testing can truly reveal what any child is capable or incapable of.
By My Own Girl
December 2, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Jesse’s girl? Do you work?
By My Own Girl
December 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Jesse’s Girl, I love how you say “you are failing them as a parent”. Whoa. I will have to put this “quote” in my “parenting manual” for all future generations. Jesse’s Girl HAS spoken and so it shall be.
By Mr. Nice Guy
December 2, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Test for sports? No way - subject them to an IQ test - Yes.
By Rob
December 2, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Motherjanegoose….
Thanks for the support. I too believe that as parents, we should push our children into the direction they show the most INTEREST in. Even IF your child has the potential to earn a college scholarship or even make it to the pros, it just doesn’t matter. The childs’ imagination should be fostered to fruition….
Imagine if Father Edward J Flanagan would’ve chosen a different path other than founding “Boystown”….. We ALL have our destinies. We just need the push in the RIGHT direction.
By FCM
December 2, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
JG—I will be in line with my 2 when they come up with the test you mentioned!
MJG—thanks for the note yesterday. One of the teachers is volunteering to tutor her, and it has been a huge change in behavior, staying on task, and getting the assignments done. This particular child responds better to male teachers (like her tutor).
As to the Q at hand. Why don’t we just start making babies in a lab—a genetic milkshake if you will…why have the variety of children we have now….we can homoginize and have an uber breed! (you know, remove those likely to have cancer, to have a ‘preference’, to have receeding hairlines, deformaties, (etc)….then make sure to only have high intellect and athleticism, and the ‘skinny gene’). Then we can do away with that which makes making children so fun (I mean the love and relationship of the people…get your head out of the gutter)….and just let them be raised by the government institutions….Oh wait somebody thought like that once—his name was Hitler.
Come on people….let kids be kids (all sizes, shapes, and abilities)!!!
By MILF Hunter
December 2, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
@ My Own Girl
My name says it all….and yes I am very male.
By motherjanegoose
December 2, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Theresa…TODAY is the day to take your kids to the voting booth…in and out in 5 minutes…where is everyone?
FCM…then it WAS the teacher…this can happen and when a particular child is not meshing with the teacher then things can fall apart. I am happy you seem to have found an option. Some kids do better with certain types of teachers and that is just how it is!
Rob…what are your thoughts about the testing mentioned at the beginning.
Jesse’s girl…we told our son to find something he is good at and see about the options of this being a career choice. As I have mentioned before, he is a Sr. Pharmacy Tech and loves his job. Hopefully, he will make it through Pharmacy School and this will all pay off. When we gathered at Thanksgiving, he said he was thankful for his job and that he really enjoyed what he does. I think this is a tremendous blessing to be able to work in a field you enjoy. Not many 21 year olds already have a position in their field and know they like it.
There ARE many out there whose parent’s pushed them and even though their career is lucrative…they hate it. I am not sure where one can draw the line.
How many adults really like their jobs? I do ,90% of the time and everyone discouraged me from going into education since the market was saturated during the time I headed off to college. What is the answer?
By JJ
December 2, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Hey Theresa, how about a blog on holiday traditions in our families?
Like what do you do on Christmas Eve. Chaunnakah (sp), etc.
We have a bunch of traditions…..not just at Christmas, but also leading up to Christmas.
Certain things we do with our kids, families, friends, etc.
By Texas Pete
December 2, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
I would like to see genetics used to produce the perfect hooker.
By Mr. Nice Guy
December 2, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Or Theresa - Holiday nightmares! Much more appropraite with children, relatives, cold weather and booze. Every family has a nightmare story -
By MILF Hunter
December 2, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Hey….My Own Girl…Interested??
By FCM
December 2, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
@ Mr. Nice Guy—-I think your idea sounds like a Fun Friday topic! :o)
JJ—I agree we could do that one too!
Theresa—I had asked about maybe doing one on surviving the holiday when the kid gets to go the ‘other’ parents for the holiday…or even how to split the holiday with an ex. (something like that…you were going to save the topic for this time of year).
By Jesse's Girl
December 2, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Damn straight…I have spoken indeed. Don’t hesitate to ask for more advice darlin….ya know, if I can find the time. What with my job and all:)
As I was making my point, I couldn’t help but think of all the sad sacks that end up on TV during the American Idol auditions. Those people had someone in their lives at one time or another…be it their parents or otherwise…that had an opportunity to stop them before they made fools of themselves. At some point, someone who loved them could have said ” Honey….lets talk.”
By Theresa
December 3, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Hey guys — I have noted all the ideas and will get them up in the next week or so —
I’m having publishing problems this morning — the topic scheduled to run didn’t popup — I’m working on it —- thanks for your patience!
By DB
December 3, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Hell, NO, I wouldn’t test my kids for some sort of “athletic gene” — only in the football-obsessed South would this sort of crap actually be important.
If parents spent as much time and money on making sure a kid’s brain worked as well as their biceps, then they would have their choice of any college in the world, not just one who was interested in how fast they could run or how far they could throw a ball.
If a kid’s grades are good and they have an inquiring mind, they will get into college with no probloem, and not have to spend four or five years as some sort of unpaid wage slave for a university trying to make money off of their athletic teams.
By TVChick
December 3, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
MA Your son is majoring in broadcasting? I’m sorry. I made that terrible decision years ago. Tell him to change majors before it’s too late. A life of a broadcaster is no life at ALL, especially working at ESPN.