Ethicists Call Foul on Baseball's DNA Testing

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2009 5:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – Major League Baseball's DNA testing of Latin American rookies has bioethics experts worried, the New York Times reports. League officials say the genetic tests are necessary after a string of cases in which prospects lied about their age or identity, but experts fear the tests may be used to weed out the injury-prone or those likely to suffer genetic disorders.

Baseball insiders, including one scouting director, say the testing has been going on for years. A federal bill banning companies from asking employees for their DNA comes into effect later this year, but it's unclear whether it will cover MLB's activities abroad. "The funny thing about this all is that the most famous baseball player with a genetic disorder was Lou Gehrig," said one expert. "Would they have signed him if they knew?"

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada has admitted he lied about his age when joining the club, saying he was 17 when he was actually 19. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Washington Nationals prospect "Esmailyn Gonzalez," supposedly 19, was later discovered to be Carlos David Alvarez Lugo, 23. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

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If they come up with a test that shows someone’s connective tissue is at a high risk of not holding up, can that be used? I don’t know. I do think that’s where this
is headed.
- The scouting director of a MLB team

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