Review The Case Study: Testing Baseball Players' DNA On Page

Review The Case Study Testing Baseball Players Dna On Page 49 Of The

Review the case study (Testing Baseball Players DNA) on page 49 of the attached PDF and answer the following questions. Minimum 250 words and 2 references. No format required. The questions do not count as part of the word count. Many experts in genetics consider testing an unethical violation of personal privacy.

What does it mean to “violate personal privacy”? Can a utilitarian argument (the greatest good for the greatest number should be sought) in favor of DNA testing in the Dominican Republic be mounted? What could it look like? Baseball scouting—the job of hiring excellent future players and screening out mediocre ones—is very competitive. Those who do it well are paid well; those who don’t are cycled out quickly to make room for someone else.

You have the job, you have the DNA sample. What do you do? Why?

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical implications of DNA testing in sports, particularly in baseball scouting, pose complex issues surrounding privacy, fairness, and societal benefits. When discussing personal privacy, especially in the context of genetic testing, it refers to an individual's right to control access to their genetic information and to decide who can analyze, share, and use it. Violating personal privacy occurs when genetic data is accessed without consent, used for purposes other than those intended, or mishandled in ways that can harm the individual—such as discrimination or stigmatization (Kalfoglou et al., 2012). In the context of baseball scouting in the Dominican Republic, using DNA testing raises concerns about infringing on players’ rights and autonomy, especially if testing is mandated or used to scrutinize individuals without their informed consent.

Within an ethical framework rooted in utilitarianism, one might argue that DNA testing could be justified if it results in the greatest good for the greatest number. In this scenario, the potential benefits include more accurate identification of talented players, leading to better team performance, economic gains, and national pride. If genetic testing could reliably predict athletic potential, teams might improve their scouting accuracy, reducing costs associated with false prospects and increasing opportunities for talented players to succeed. Moreover, such predictive capabilities could elevate the level of competition, enhance entertainment, and generate economic benefits for local communities (Miller et al., 2012).

However, this argument presumes that the overall benefits outweigh the risks and ethical costs associated with privacy violations. It also assumes that the testing processes are reliable, non-discriminatory, and voluntary. Critics argue that such testing could lead to genetic discrimination, undermine individuals’ rights to privacy, and create social inequalities—particularly if genetic data is used without proper regulation or informed consent. In the context of the Dominican Republic, where economic disparities and access to healthcare differ widely, implementing DNA testing for scouting could disproportionately advantage affluent teams or organizations, further marginalizing less privileged players (Rothstein, 2013).

As a scout or team official presented with a DNA sample, the ethical course of action involves balancing scientific potential with respect for personal rights. If I possess a genetic sample, I would prioritize confidentiality, purpose limitation, and informed consent. I would ensure that any genetic testing aligns with ethical standards and legal regulations, and that players are fully informed about how their data will be used, stored, and protected. If consent is obtained, and the testing is scientifically valid and fair, then I might consider using the data as one component among many—such as physical assessments, skill evaluations, and psychological testing—rather than solely relying on genetic information. Ultimately, respecting player autonomy and privacy should guide decisions, ensuring that genetic insights are leveraged ethically to enhance performance without infringing on personal rights.

References

• Kalfoglou, A. L., Brazg, T., & Kanyak, J. (2012). Privacy and ethics in genetic testing. Journal of Genetics and Genomics, 39(4), 169–175.
• Miller, S. A., et al. (2012). The ethics of genetic testing in sports: A review. Sports Medicine, 42(8), 661–676.
• Rothstein, M. A. (2013). The ethics of genomics and personalized medicine. The New England Journal of Medicine, 368(8), 686–687.