The dangerous precedent of DNA tests in sports
The Chicago Bulls’ center, Eddy Curry, has had inconclusive tests for his arrhythmia. The Bulls want him to take a DNA test to determine if he is genetically predisposed for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This obviously has some far-ranging effects: “More important for pro sports — and perhaps society at large — Curry’s reps argue that submitting to such a test could set a dangerous precedent. ‘If employers could give employees DNA tests, then they could find out if there’s a propensity for illnesses like cancer, heart disease or alcoholism,’ Alan Milstein, a lawyer who is helping represent Curry, told the Chicago Tribune. ‘They will make personnel decisions based on DNA testing.’” (image via SI.com)
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{ 4 comments }
And life insurance, health insurance
I don’t like the idea of genetic testing in these cases either, but there is the legal aspect to consider. The cardiologist who cleared Reggie Lewis to play (for the Celtics) was subsequently sued by his widow. Here, you have a situation where a team (worth a lot of $$) knows one of its players may have a potentially life-threatening heart condition. If the team did not formally make the request for the player to be tested, I suspect they could be sued as well (Mrs. Lewis’s suit did not prevail, but did go to trial at least twice).
And since 5% of the general population has brain aneurysm, all NBA players should have a DNA test to determine their propensity to have one or they should all have an MRI to determine if they have one.
In a free world, Curry can accept or refuse and his team can play him, trade him, or release him.
Also it’s interesting that genetic testing is a threat to Curry, a living genetic outlier at 6′10″ and with uncommon quickness and strength.
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