Transcript Does Genetics Predict Athletic Ability?

DOES
GENETICS
PREDICT
ATHLETIC
ABILITY?
Christina
Catliff
NATURE VS. NURTURE
Genetic: its all in your DNA
Environmental : its all in the conditions you
grow up in
Is being gay something you are born with or
something that evolves over time? (genetics)
INTERESTING FACTS
 Nobody actually knows what percent athletic
performance is genetic but it is a large factor
 There are 200 genes in the body that are
fitness related
 Muscle strength
 Metabolism performance
 Cardiovascular performance
 Yet 50% strength (how your body is built) or
flexibility
 If your parents have a small build, very
unlikely that you are going to become a large,
huge, body builder.
ACTN-3
Tarini, Beth. Can genetic tests predict athletic
performance in kids? Michigan, 15 March 2011.
Video.
 A gene that helps muscles protein contract at high speeds
 Found in Olympic sprinters
 Two “R” Variants one from each parent
 Sprinting, endurance, strength
 One “X” and one “R” Variant
 Power sports, cycling, strength
 Two “X” variants
 Endurance, cross country, swimming
 Two “R” varients is the best make up of ACTN -3
 Kevin Reilly - author of “genes in spor ts” said about genetics; “ it’s a
Question of their motivation, this (athletic genes) is A tool not THE
tool.”
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiOmni2Wjh8
GENE SCREENING OR GPE (GENETIC
PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS)
 Gene screening is analyzing the genes “ like the r and x
variants
 Create training programs that are suitable for your genetic
strengths and weaknesses
 GPE similar to gene therapy
 Develop performance enhancing genes that aren’t given at
birth
 How is it different from steroids???
 THIS IS AN “Ethical Dark Zone”
Santiago, C. ACTN3. 2008. Print. 29 May
2012.
ADVANTAGES
If genetics have high importance in ability
 It will help athletes train using Genetic
steering technology
 Will be easy to separate the high
performance athletes at a younger age
 The GPE will improve athletes boosting their
interest in high level sports
DISADVANTAGES
If genetics play a huge role in ability
 Athletes without particular genes will give up
on sports
 GPE is like cheating in a way, it would be like
steroids yet legal in high class sport
 Prospective athletes without particular genes
will give up and there will be less practicing
to be amateur or pro performance athletes.
ECONOMIC ISSUES AND SOCIAL ISSUES
 More gov’t money
would likely be put
towards GPE studying
 Money could be going
to more important
things like cures for
cancer
Is it right to have
genetically enhanced
athletes
If steroids aren’t allowed
then why is this?
MALCOLM GLADWELL THESIS
 There are 3 distinct requirements to become and elite
athlete
1. Talent and ability which is largely influenced by genetics
2. A drive and passion for a sport
3. About 20 000 hours of practice
Elliot, Stephen. The Rumpus Interview With Malcolm Gladwell. 22 January 2009.
Website . 29 May 2012.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Colby, Brandon. Outsmart Your Genes. New York: Penguin
Group Inc, 2010. Print.
 Elliot, Stephen. The Rumpus Interview With Malcolm
Gladwell. 22 January 2009. Website . 29 May 2012.
 Lite, Jordan. "Can Genes Predict Athletic Performance."
Scientific American (2008): 7. Website.
 Ronald, Robert. Facts at Your Fingertips . New York:
Readers Digest Association Inc, 2001 . Print.
 Santiago, C. ACTN3. 2008. Print. 29 May 2012.
 Shahane, Neeraj. Venture for ADME Gene Screening
Research Panel. 2011 . Website. 29 May 2012.
 Stienford, Terry. Genetics Role in Athletics. 2011 .
Website. 29 May 2012.
 Tarini, Beth. Can genetic tests predict athletic
performance in kids? Michigan, 15 March 2011 . Video.
 Taylor, Charles. Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia . Hong
Kong : Larousse Kingfisher Chambers Inc, 2000. Print.