Toddler Buzz
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Sports Gene Test?
December 1, 2008 at 5:55 PM by Cafe Cynthia - Comments (3)
Photo by Karinasmommy04
Should I sign my kid up for basketball or swimming? Should I take him for a run at the track, or work on his swing?
Toddler is the age when moms begin to sign their kids up for introductory sports and recreation programs. Sometimes you can tell which sport a child loves and the decision is easy. But other times, moms have no idea what sport a child will like or be good at. That's the way it is for me. I'm still searching for my son's sport -- soccer didn't work, so we're next attempting swimming and karate.
You might have heard the news ... pretty soon, a new gene test will take the guess work out of decisions like these.
The test, which is not widespread yet, looks for a gene called ACTN3, according to the New York Times. Some variants of this gene instruct the body to produce a protein that's found specifically in fast-twitch muscles. Those muscles are capable of the forceful, quick contractions necessary in speed and power sports. Another variant of the gene actually prevents the production of the protein.
Cafe Kierna's even talking about what gene testing might mean for older children over in Big Kid Buzz.
The test determines whether a person would be best at speed and power sports like sprinting or football, or endurance sports like running, or a combination of the two. A doctor in Boulder, Colorado is charging $150 for the quick swab of your little one's cheek along the gums, followed by a lab analysis.
A number of doctors disagree with the test. They say there are hundreds of other genes that play a role in forecasting athletic talent, and that this current test is only in its infancy and not helpful for parents at all. What do you think about giving your toddler such a test?
Poll
Question: Would you order a gene test to pinpoint your child's athletic talents?
Total Votes: 22
Is your toddler already enrolled in a formal sports program? How did you choose it -- did your child ask to play that sport, or did you feel they needed a little push?
FILED UNDER: activities, play
Comments:
Absoutly not.
Will I enroll my son in sports when he's old enough? If he shows interest, sure. I mean, I was in T-ball and Little League when I was a brat. But I'm not going to force it on him.
Honestly, and maybe this is a little morbid, I think this is going to lead to lots of psychological problems later in life for these kids who are tested, when they don't live up to mommy and daddy's ideal sports star stereotype.
This is just plainly silly. Sports and the ability to compete comes from many things including personality. One of my sons is extremely aggressive and does well in hockey and probably would be great in football. But put him in ballet and he would plow through everyone. Genes play a role as does desire and personality.
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That's almost like telling you 're kid he is smart. He only livesup the the standard he has been given, or any other stereotype.
No we are not enrolling our kids in any type of activity. Kids that are overscheduled, don't know what to do with their free time. What happend to letting kids be kids? Running and jumping and playing in the dirt. And to have a toddler in sports or any other type of structure environment, is just plain silly. The test concludes that only 50 out of 427 olypians had a "sport gene". That 's still a very low number.
Alma_C Dec. 1, 2008 at 9:26 PM