The Ethics of Genetic Testing with Dr. Stuart Kim & Neil deGrasse Tyson

Summary

In a StarTalk episode titled "The Ethics of Genetic Testing," Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O'Reilly explore the world of sports genetics with guest Dr. Stuart Kim. In the episode, Dr. Kim explains that genetics play only a small role in enhancing an athlete's performance, but it can identify potential injury risks and lead to personalized training regimens. The panel also discusses the ethical concerns surrounding genetics in sports, including the slippery slope of eugenics and the need to prevent genetic discrimination. Additionally, the hosts debate the possibility of using genetics to predict a person's personality, motives, morality, and drive and the dangers of editing genetic material to improve performance.

Dr. Stuart Kim introduces the "hero project," which studies athletes' genetic profiles to determine how they can maintain their health and strength while avoiding type 2 diabetes and weight gain. By studying athletes like Tom Brady and LeBron James, coaches and trainers can develop smarter ways of training to reduce the risk of injury and extend athletes' careers. However, the power of genetic data raises ethical questions regarding who has control over the information and how it is used. The panel acknowledges that genetics is already being used by elite athletes to train better, but it should not be used to sort people based on their athleticism or talent.

The podcast also explores the future of genetics in sports and the science behind genetic doping. The hosts joke about keeping an eye on Dr. Kim if his kids start winning cross-country tournaments. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the potential benefits and risks of using genetics in sports and the need for ethical considerations in its use.