Major League Baseball Tests Players' DNA

By Virginia Prescott on Monday, July 27, 2009.

Almost everybody, at some time or another, lies about their age. It’s not usually a big deal, unless you’re trying to secure a Major League Baseball contract. According to The New York Times, the league has invested millions of dollars in players who ended up being older than they claimed to be when they signed.

So, recruiters have turned to rigorous testing. They take DNA samples, scan players’ bones and examine their blood, urine and feces to help determine their true age. The practice has raised concerns among genetic ethicists and anyone who’s seen the movie Gattaca.

New York Times sports writer Michael Schmidt joins us to explain.

The New York Times: Baseball’s Use of DNA Raises Questions

The New York Times: A Future in Baseball, Hinging on DNA

(Photo by adwriter via Flickr/Creative Commons)

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