DNA Bank of Talented Athletes
The Taipei Physical Education College (TPEC) plan to collect the saliva of exceptional (Taiwanese) athletes, like New York Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, so that their DNA can be analyzed for super-athletic genes. The TPEC Ace Athlete Genome Bank already has DNA from Taiwanese athletes who’ve won Olympic medals. Taekwondo fighter Chen Shi-Hsin has been found to have the insertion (I) polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE), typically found in male athletes. ACE plays a role in regulating blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte balance.
Professor Hsu Tai-Ke wants to use genetic analysis to identify other children who have the potential become a “second Wang Chien-Ming.” Such a simplistic view of the genome and human behavior. I’m guessing Chien-Ming Wang’s parents (who’re biologically his aunt and uncle) would like to think they had some influence over his success in baseball. And his coaches would probably like to claim some credit too. Chien-Ming knows more than anyone that we’re more than just our genes:
In Taiwan there’s a saying: ‘Raising a child is more important than giving birth. Raising a child is greater.’
Tags: genetics, genes, dna, genome, chien ming wang, new york yankees, baseball, TPEC ace athlete genome bank, athletes
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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2 opinions for DNA Bank of Talented Athletes
Steve James
Mar 29, 2007 at 12:33 pm
This is absurd. What’s next? Isolating this gene to create an elite super army? Cloning based around these super genes? Haven’t we seen this in a movie?
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
Mar 29, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Steve: Shhh. How do you know if they aren’t already doing that deep in some secret military bunker? The CIA’s comin’ to getcha!
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