Japan Institute of Sports hunts Olympic Gold gene

[Taro Toporific]

I FOUND IT. I FOUND IT. --->

Japan Institute of Sports Sciences to search for Olympic Gold gene
MedicalNewsToday.com / 25 May 2004The Japan Institute of Sports Sciences is to start research into genotypes that are commonly seen in top-class athletes in an attempt to identify potential gold medalists....
In addition to training, the natural attributes with which world-class athletes are born are believed to play a role in allowing them to achieve outstanding athletic ability....
The goals of the research are to discover gene sequences that play a major role in creating athletic ability and to establish a database based on genetic research into Japanese gold medalists.

[GomiGirl]

Wasn't this tried in the 1940's in Germany???

Designer babies here we come!!

[cstaylor]

More tax money wasted on stupid research. Next experiment: does Natto improve Gold Medal chances?

[Unspoken]

Aren't eugenics a world-wide taboo?

Bah, no matter. If I could think of any human-genome related research to fund, it'd definitely be this.

Man, for every brilliant and intriguing scientific study to come out of Japan (and yes, there are quite a few of those too), there seem to be a couple more that are completely asinine. Anyone remember that moronic research plan which intended to prove that the Japanese were more resistant to SARS because the Japanese language itself didn't force you to open your mouth as much as gaijin-speak?

Is the yearning to justify the "we are special" feeling just that deeply rooted in this country?