Uzbekistan’s plan to genetically groom Olympic athletes won’t work

In a few years, we’ll look back at the Sochi Olympics as the last one where being chosen as an Olympic athlete was something involving lots of athleticism, a bit of luck, and, yes, sometimes a bit of politics. Because at least one country, Uzbekistan, has announced that they’re going to start genetically screening children in order to groom them as Olympic athletes.

Or maybe we won’t, because their plan probably isn’t going to work, and experts say Uzbekistan’s time and energy is being misplaced.

The best child athletes are often the ones who are further along developmentally, not the ones who will grow up to be the best athletes.

Read the full, original story: Uzbekistan’s Plan to Genetically Groom Olympic Athletes Isn’t Going to Work

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

ChatGPT-Image-Mar-10-2026-01_39_01-PM
Viewpoint—“Miracle molecule” debunked: Why acemannan supplements don’t work
Diet Soda with Measuring Tape 2
Science challenges anti-soda activists: No, sodas won’t make you fat
Strawberry Clamshell with Warning Sticker
Viewpoint: Activists hype ‘dangerous level’ of pesticide residues in Driscoll berries: Separating health concerns from fear-mongering
Screenshot 2026-10-16 at 5.38
PFAS in Agriculture: Science, Uncertainty, and Risk Communication
Rustic Skillet of Raw Brains
‘Weird food’? Testicle- and brain-eating, supplement-gulping MAHA health food enthusiasts defend their ‘natural’ diets
Government Briefing on Autism Trends
Viewpoint: ‘Statistical murder’: Kennedy’s expanding record of “duplicity and mendacity”
Serene Mature Woman in Abstract Waves
Testosterone’s growing appeal to women: It anecdotally mildly improves sex life, but are there any other potential benefits—or red flags?
Prescription Capsules Scattered on Twenty-Dollar Bills
Facts & Fallacies podcast: America's health care system is broken. A doctor explains how to fix it, Part 2
png_cheese_Raw_milk
100% raw milk, 100% misguided: As MAHA-fueled demand for unpasteurized milk soars, American Academy of Pediatrics renews call for a ban on its sale and distribution
Silhouettes Beneath the Mosquito Nets
Guinea-Bissau halts widely condemned RFK Jr.-backed vaccine trial that would have withheld life-saving vaccines from thousands of newborns
Nutrition and Supplements Infinity Collage
Drugs and supplements can extend life and five other longevity myths
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.