Eddy Curry and a genetic test for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Apparently the Knicks have picked-up Eddy Curry from the Bulls, bringing to a close (for now) a story that appeared to be heading toward a dramatic conclusion: a career being determined by the result of a genetic test.

Here is an outline of the story:  Eddy Curry has had some heart problems recently.  Doctors disagree about the diagnosis.  It has been suggested that he may have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious and potentially fatal heart condition.  Vigorous exercise, like playing basketball, can be fatal for people with HCM.  Several athletes with HCM have died while playing professional sports in recent memory.  One doc told the Bulls that there is a genetic test for HCM.  This past week, amid contract negotiations the Bulls request that Eddy Curry submit to a genetic test for HCM.  Eddy Curry refused.

The main issues here are: (1) Should an employer be able to demand that an employee take a genetic test (and share the results)? (2) Should employers be able to make employment decisions based on genetic information?  (Editor: Answers aren’t necessarily straightforward by the way, demonstrated by the sheer variety of reactions to the Eddy Curry case.  This is an excellent opportunity to work through the issues.)

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AP, Bulls Ship Curry to Knicks, New York Times. Oct 3 2005.

Laura Spinney. Heart-stopping action. Nature. 04 August 2004.

Henry T. Greely, Banning Genetic Discrimination, NEJM September 1, 2005.

P. A. Schulte, Geoffrey Lomax. "Genetic Testing of Railroad Track Workers with Carpal Tunnel" Human Genome Epidemiology. Chapter 29.

October 4, 2005 | Filed Under genetic-testing, policy 

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