Has genetic testing gone too far?

I was reading an article the other day about a genetic test that might be able to determine which sports suit the talents of your child.

A company named Atlas Sports Genetic, located in Boulder, Colorado, offers this test for $149. The process includes swabbing the inside of the child’s cheek and across the gums to collect DNA. Researchers are looking for ACTN3, one gene among more than 20,000 in the human genome. The test's goal is to determine whether a child is better suited for speed and power sports like sprinting or football, or endurance sports like distance running, or a combination of the two.

Now, I’m all for genetic testing when the goal is to find new medical advances and possible cures for diseases.

But, in this case, I’m against it.

My son is two-year’s old right now. And like a lot of parents, I often dream about what sport he may be good at. Of course, I would like to see my son follow in my footsteps and play football and maybe even basketball.

Still, the possibility exists that he may not like those sports. He may like baseball or something else. He may not like sports at all.

I think that is the problem with this kind of test. After doling out their cash, most parents are naturally going to use the results to try and force their child into the recommended sport.

But, what if they don’t like it?

Then what?

The Wizard has spoken