From time to time, Major League Baseball (MLB) has been faced with the need to do DNA relationship testing for potential players from Latin America. Why?
There have been problems in the recruiting process, in the Dominican Republic in particular, regarding age claims. Although DNA testing cannot determine someone’s age, paternity and maternity tests are done to determine if someone is in fact the child of the alleged parents, as claimed. They also run occasional bone scans to help determine an age range.
A major team did void a contract with a potential player from the Dominican Republic after he did not pass the DNA testing.
There have been more than a few eyebrows raised at MLB using DNA testing as a resource in these recruiting investigations. As DNA analysis becomes more advanced, the information we can discover may go far beyond filial relationships. DNA can now be used in part to search for potential future medical issues.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 states it is unlawful to request the DNA of an employee or future employee. Does this include MLB? There are likely loopholes for this clause in the law, but this remains to be seen.
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