I somehow landed on the mailing list of a company that sells DIY genetic testing kits to parents recently. Apparently, one of the hot new markets out there is genetic testing. Specifically, this company says that parents can discover both genetic deficiencies and inborn talents.
Genetic deficiencies may be a good thing. If I knew a certain health problem could crop up or possibly be passed on to my children then I might be able to get better treatment or even do some preventive care. But inborn talents? Of that one I’m not so sure.
While it would be nice to have a list of potential areas of interest, is it really best for my kid? There’s a video of a mom saying how thrilled she is to have tested her son and found out his interest in a particular area; he’s now taking lessons and couldn’t be happier. Is that a good thing, or the first step down a slippery slope? Could we someday be testing all children for their aptitude and tracking them in life accordingly? What if my son doesn’t have a gene for playing the piano, but wants to learn anyway?
Or what if he does have the genetics for an area, but no interest? Could there come a day when the results of a cheek swab determine an individual’s place in society?
What do you think? Is genetic testing a good thing, or a dangerous tool?
by AmyL
Photo graciously provided by ghutchis, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
3 responses so far ↓
STL Mom // Nov 30, 2009 at 5:04 pm
This seems like a lot of baloney to me. When my kids are interested in something, they let me know — about 20 times a day — until I do something to help them pursue it, or until their interest fades.
As far as genetic deficiencies, the ones that will change their lives will show up soon enough. There’s plenty to worry about without stressing about possible future “deficiencies”.
Daleus // Dec 1, 2009 at 5:29 am
At the peril of being all doom and gloom, I have only one word for this – Gattaca.
Kelly Damron // Dec 2, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Genetic testing has its place, but determining the “natural” talents of your children seems far fetched. My husband and I used genetic counseling (not testing) when we were undergoing fertility treatments. Our doctor recommended it so we would know what genes we were about to pass along to our potential children.
I don’t think testing our children, after conception, is an appropriate use of the technology.
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