A new study, some customers say that the results of genetic tests help them lead their children to the appropriate sport.
However, ethicists and skeptical physicians say that tests, before they are science and could fly a much higher price, the potentially quite able young people enjoy a chance, the activities of their choice.
"In the" win everything is ' the sporting culture, pressure social use of these tests in children may provide a challenge to doctors without mistrust, "according to a commentary in the journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Wednesday.". “
Scientists have identified several genes, a role in determining the power, speed and other aspects of the sport can play performance. However, the pediatrician, Dr. Alison Brooks, specialist in sports medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison told the associated press (AP) there are probably hundreds more, and many other features and the experiences that help to determine the athletic ability.
Physician Dr. Beth Tarini wrote the comment of consciousness in the question of Brooks and the University of Michigan.
These tests a handful of companies selling online, and in some cases, they identify common genes in Psychophysics. Brooks told the AP as the advancement of science, "My guess is that we see them no less."
Bradley Marston bountiful, Utah, bought a test online a year for his daughter Elizabeth.
It is "a very talented", and Marston wanted to know whether it had a version of a gene, called ACTN3, which concerns the production of a protein in the activity of certain.
A form of the gene was associated with explosive eruptions of necessary for activities such as Sprint and bodybuilding.
ACTN3 is sold by Atlas genetic sport and was developed by genetic technologies limited. $169 Atlas Kit exists of two buffers, to remove the cells in the cheek.
NAT Carruthers, President of operations at Atlas sport genetic, said AP, that the company has sold several hundred kits since it began marketing in 2008.
"Our goal is to be the athletes that they are born to be, to help people" close to the children of some sports of Carruthers said.
He said AP parents that their child should do and how their child will be is not our claim or request that critics erroneously say the test "on the sound." how we at all. »
CyGene laboratories sells a similar $100 swab test online for various genes related to the sport until last fall.
CyGene has sold also kits online announced that the detection of the disease in people, but mark Munzer, former President of the company, AP said the industry food and drug must also suppress Administration (FDA) last year on tests of genes, to sell the disease in pharmacies.
The FDA asked a hearing Tuesday comments to a group of experts on how the Agency direct-to-consumer genetic testing should be regulation to receive, to assert the medical claims.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Stephen Roth, specialist in exercise physiology and genetics, who studied, said the ACTN3-gen "is AP, that the science of genes affect athletic ability in its infancy" and claims that dealer to "gross assumptions."
Roth said about 80 percent of the people all over the world have ACTN3-gen, coupled with the explosive power. The fact that only a few of them are you elite athletes stressed the need for more genes for athletes.
About 20% of people have a genetic variation, which involved the explosive force inhibits the production of the protein. Roth said that this does not mean that they can in the sport of Excel do not.
Dr Lainie Friedman Ross, a professional medical ethics and pediatrician at the University of Chicago, said AP tests raise ethical questions when used in children because they are too young to understand the impacts and sufficient consent.
"It's serious damage real genetic leisure with a potential," said Ross. "People think that," if my child has this, I have to really hard press. If my child is doing, I will give up, before you begin, "she said." Instead, Ross said, should parents "Children to follow their dreams."
"Then choose the parents about their children health, are entitled, this type of genetic testing is planned at best and should actively children in the decision-making process," Ross said.