Genetic Testing for Careers in China

The idea of genetic determinism is becoming ever more popular it seems. For example, a Colorado-based company Atlas Sports Genetics offers a test for variants of the ACTN3 gene which is allegedly associated with sports prowess, specifically whether or not a kid has a preponderance fast or slow twitch muscles. The idea is that a sports-mom or -dad armed with this genetic inform would be able to guide little Jimmy or Suzy into soccer or weightlifting.

Now CNN reports that Chinese parents are being offered genetic tests that will help them determine their children's future careers:

At the Chongqing Children's Palace, experts are hoping to revolutionize child-rearing with the help of science. About 30 children aged 3 to 12 years old and their parents are participating in a new program that uses DNA testing to identify genetic gifts and predict the future…

The test is conducted by the Shanghai Biochip Corporation. Scientists claim a simple saliva swab collects as many as 10,000 cells that enable them to isolate eleven different genes. By taking a closer look at the genetic codes, they say they can extract information about a child's IQ, emotional control, focus, memory, athletic ability and more…

For about $880, Chinese parents can sign their kids up for the test and five days of summer camp in Chongqing, where the children will be evaluated in various settings from sports to art. The scientific results, combined with observations by experts throughout the week, will be used to make recommendations to parents about what their child should pursue…

Dr. Huang [Xinhua, a leading scientist on the project] said the testing can even help project careers down the road.

Examining one child's results, he told CNN: "This child is very thoughtful and focused, so I suggest she go into management."

I particulary enjoyed the comment by one little girl in the article:

"I want to be the president of China," said three-year-old girl, Liu Xiao Liao. "Then people will be scared of me."

A gene test for power lust?

Genetic testing can provide some information about a person's proclivities, but what happens if Jimmy or Suzy also have genes for perfect pitch and would rather play the viola than chase after a ball? For example, since I am 6 feet 5 inches tall, my high school coaches begged me to play basketball. I said no, I would rather join the debate team. Genes are not destiny. By the way, my 23andme gene screen test tells me that I have alleles for normal height.

Comments

[Chicken Bones of Justice]

"Examining one child's results, he told CNN: "This child is very thoughtful and focused, so I suggest she go into management.""

OMFG!

[John-David]

Gattaca! Gattaca!

[SpongePaul]

Chicken Bones of Justice | August 7, 2009, 2:47pm | #
"Examining one child's results, he told CNN: "This child is very thoughtful and focused, so I suggest she go into management.""

OMFG!

_____________________________

And that suprises you, they are communist, they suggest managment, becaus eit will stiffle all that creativity and rebelion. for thoose who are thinkers and creative are very dangerous to communist states

[Jordan]

"I want to be the president of China," said three-year-old girl, Liu Xiao Liao. "Then people will be scared of me."

Goddamn, quote of the day right there.

[Spoonman]

That little girl understands government, certainly.

[Warty]

Chinese dodgeball players aren't like us. They do nothing but dodgeball, day in, and day out. They use steroids and advanced training equipment to make them, not kids, but animals.

[Little Bill Daggett:]

"And that suprises you"

Not in the least. I was astonished by the sheer stupidity of it.

I used to be a coach and have had the fast / slow muscle debate more than 30 years ago. It got pretty heated.

Finally a coach from Florida shut down both side by declaring - I don't care if they have slow or fast muscle twitch or any combination there of. But if you can give me a kid that can hit the ground again and again and break neither body nor spirit, I'll turn that kid into a champion.

[Mad Max]

This child is a complete moron, but he has good hair . . . management track for him!

This other child steals all the other kids' toys, and when they protest, she calls them selfish and has them beaten up. Future politician!

[Chicken Bones of Justice]

BTW Little Bill Daggett = Chicken Bones of Justice.

[R C Dean]

Chicken Bones, I still like Gunboat Diplomacy for a handle.

[John Thacker]

what happens if Jimmy or Suzy also have genes for perfect pitch and would rather play the viola than chase after a ball?

As I know from a childhood viewing of Nick at Nite once, there was an episode of the Donna Reed Show about that once. Except that Jeff had perfect pitch and was made to take trumpet lessons, but would rather be on the track team.

[Abdul]

Can you imagine the disillusionment when the genetic test tells some poor kid that he's a perfect genetic match to be a lawyer?

Although it would be a fulfilling prophecy, because only the thoroughly disillusioned fill out law school applications.

[I, Kahn O\'Clast]

Oh please it's China. it should have read:

"For about $880, Chinese parents can sign their kids up for the test and five days of summer camp in Chongqing, where the children will be evaluated in various settings from sports to art. The scientific results, combined with observations by experts throughout the week, will be used to make recommendations to parents about what their child should pursue...

"For about $1,200 the parents can select the results they would prefer"

[Brandybuck]

Can you imagine the disillusionment when the genetic test tells some poor kid that he's a perfect genetic match to be a lawyer?

Counsellor: Enough of this gay banter. And now Mr Anchovy, you asked us to advise you which job in life you were best suited for.

Anchovy: That is correct, yes.

Counsellor: Well I now have the results here of the interviews and the aptitudegenetic tests that you took last week, and from them we've built up a pretty clear picture of the sort of person that you are. And I think I can say, without fear of contradiction, that the ideal job for you is chartered accountancy.

Anchovy: But I am a chartered accountant.

Counsellor: Jolly good. Well back to the office with you then.

Anchovy: No! No! No! You don't understand. I've been a chartered accountant for the last twenty years. I want a new job. Something exciting that will let me live.

Counsellor: Well chartered accountancy is rather exciting isn't it?

Anchovy: Exciting? No it's not. It's dull. Dull. Dull. My God it's dull, it's so desperately dull and tedious and stuffy and boring and des-per-ate-ly DULL.

Counsellor: Well, er, yes Mr Anchovy, but you see your genetic report here says that you are an extremely dull person. You see, our geneticists describe you as an appallingly dull fellow, unimaginative, timid, lacking in initiative, spineless, easily dominated, no sense of humour, tedious company and irrepressibly drab and awful. And whereas in most professions these would be considerable drawbacks, in chartered accountancy they are a positive boon.

[Chicken Bones of Justice]

Obviously Little Bill Daggit was a one time thing (well, it was supposed to be), but I am torn between Gunboat and Chicken Bones. Both link to great pictures. I have a love/hate thing for New Orleans so I really like the chicken bon top hat, but on the other hand, the USS Iowa shooting off it's guns. is. teh. awesome! It's so hard to decide.

[Chicken Bones of Justice]

That was for RC

[Warty]

I don't think the choice of a handle is that crucial, dude. I have probably the worst handle of any regular here, but you don't see me bitching.

P.S. I am now taking suggestions for a better handle.

[hmm]

...variants of the ACTN3 gene which is allegedly associated with sports prowess, specifically whether or not a kid has a preponderance fast or slow twitch muscles.

A few years of Halo and CS will get those slow twitch muscles moving faster.

I wonder how many parents are going to test for the ditch digger, trash man, street sweeper gene.

[Johnny Longtorso]

P.S. I am now taking suggestions for a better handle.

One will be chosen for you by Obama's Handle Czar. Currently, there are 47 million Americans w/o a Reason Hit and Run user id, and the time to do something about that is Now.

Your new user id will be fjg83fg8r5avie4r538fa8r5, but you have to wait 6 months to post with it.

[Enough About Palin]

"I don't think the choice of a handle is that crucial, dude. I have probably the worst handle of any regular here, but you don't see me bitching."

Funny you should say that. I have been meditating upon your handle over the last two days because I finally clicked your link. For more than a year now I figured a link with Archie and Warty in it would have taken me to a site about Archie comic books. Instead, it goes to the cockroach poet. I have always liked archy and mehitabel and have even given the book as a gift to at least two people.

So please stay with Warty.

And I'm with RC, Gunboat Diplomacy is pretty cool.

[Warty]

It's a good poem, isn't it?

Full disclosure: I picked the name Warty before I had ever heard of Don Marquis. I just like to pretend I'm literate.

[Enough About Palin]

"Full disclosure: I picked the name Warty before I had ever heard of Don Marquis"

That's right! Something about anal warts, IIRC.

[Warty]

No, I had the HPV vaccine. Honest.

[Enough About Palin]

@ chicken bones / gunboat

you could upgrade to "Push Button Diplomacy"

http://chamorrobible.org/images/photos/gpw-20050304-UnitedStatesDepartmentOfEnergy-XX-33-thermonuclear-hydrogen-bomb-Operation-Castle-ROMEO-Event-Bikini-Atoll-Marshall-Islands-19540327-large.jpg

[Enough About Palin]

Warty, you little cunt!

[qwerty]

Genetic testing can provide some information about a person's proclivities, but what happens if Jimmy or Suzy also have genes for perfect pitch and would rather play the viola than chase after a ball?

Don't worry. Someday they'll be able to test for your preferences as well as your abilities. Or they could just ask you. These genetic tests will no doubt be useful, but environment also effects personality and ability. If you want to know how smart someone is, an IQ test will beat a genetic test every time.

[SpongePaul]

Genetic testing can provide some information about a person's proclivities, but what happens if Jimmy or Suzy also have genes for perfect pitch and would rather play the viola than chase after a ball?
_____________________________________________
Would not matter, they are communist and just like they did in russia, they chose job, you work it and STFU they have no choice, their carrer choosen by tests when young and tracked to do just that all thier lives. sad, but thas communism/socialism, are you listing obamaphiles!

[Jimmy the Greek]

Fast-twitch muscles you say?

Do they also have a test for extra ankle bones?

[hmm]

Is there genetic test for porn star?

Just sayin'

[Rhywun]

The little girl could have set her sights a little lower with the same results: "I want to be a Party member."

[Yobbo]

I would actually like this kind of test.

33 years old and still don't have a fucking clue what to do with my life.