Chinese summer camps DNA tests kids ID genetic gifts, careers

[heart]

In China, DNA tests on kids ID genetic gifts, careers - CNN.com

updated 6:24 a.m. EDT, Wed August 5, 2009

•Chinese summer camps DNA tests kids for natural talents

•Tests carried out for IQ, emotional control, memory, athletic ability and more

•Believed to be first time DNA tests used to identify talents rather than disease

Article at link

Thoughts?

 

[Alwar]

If the science is sound, that is, if they can really identify genetic advantages, then I'm all for nurturing talents.

 

[Cimarron]

Oh you found it, I was thinking about posting this news.

I just have to wonder about kids who excel in areas they don't like. Or that like areas in which they don't excel. Should they be allowed to be mediocre, if that's what they want?

 

[Haphazard]

Oh you found it, I was thinking about posting this news.

I just have to wonder about kids who excel in areas they don't like. Or that like areas in which they don't excel. Should they be allowed to be mediocre, if that's what they want?

I don't know. I mean, there are lots of children who excel in areas they don't like, and their parents find out about this without genetic testing and push them into that field anyway. I don't know if genetic testing for it would make it much worse than it already is for kids whose parents are already so inclined.

 

[Nonsensical]

As long as they aren't leading the kids into any careers that aren't actually what they typed out as (like using it as a way of forcing all of the kids into what the government wants), then I find it a great thing.

At least they aren't telling the kids where to go, but seeing what they are naturally good at. Assuming they aren't lying to them.

 

[Sniffles]

This is a bad idea.

 

[Alwar]

Any Geneticists or people familiar with it know how sound the science is with this? I know they can spot genes that are associated with disease, but can they really identify talents?

 

[Sniffles]

Any Geneticists or people familiar with it know how sound the science is with this? I know they can spot genes that are associated with disease, but can they really identify talents?

Even assuming the science is sound(which I doubt), there's still the more important ethical issue at play here.

 

[INTJ123]

watch the movie gataca....

 

[Lateralus]

I don't know. I mean, there are lots of children who excel in areas they don't like, and their parents find out about this without genetic testing and push them into that field anyway. I don't know if genetic testing for it would make it much worse than it already is for kids whose parents are already so inclined.

Really? At least parents have an emotional bond with their children. What does the state have?

 

[Haphazard]

Really? At least parents have an emotional bond with their children. What does the state have?

I'm sorry, I thought the camp was the one doing the testing and then after the camp the parents would have the choice to push their children as they pleased. I did not know that the state was the one who would be continuously pushing these children toward their 'talents' into the far future.