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The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has landed in the middle of race controversy with a new rule that required all Division I athletes to undergo sickle cell genetic testing to determine if they have the sickle cell trait. Since sickle cell afflicts African Americans and those of African American descent, critics of the new rule are concerned that it takes discrimination to a genetic level.
While the ruling does allow incoming athletes to decline testing and sign a waiver releasing the school and the NCAA from liability, the NCAA is standing by its ruling. The rule is a result of a lawsuit brought against Rice University by the parents of Dale Lloyd, a Rice football player with sickle cell who died at a 2006 practice.
Sufferers of sickle cell disease have a difficult time circulating oxygen through their blood because of misshapen blood cells. To develop the disease, a person must inherit the cell from both parents. People with sickle cell trait are capable of leading normal lives and performing equally well as athletes.
However, the NCAA is requiring genetic testing to determine if the players have the sickle cell trait, which is typically caused when one parent passes on a defective gene and is quite often completely harmless. It can, however, cause exertional sickling, in which sickle cells to build up in the bloodstream during exercise and cause acute renal failure. Death can occur within just a few minutes of heavy exertion.
The NCAA has some cause for concern. Over the last ten years, nine college athletes have died from sickle cell trait related complications, making it the most common cause of death among NCAA players.
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) thinks African Americans should know their own genetic risk, but does not support the NCAA rule. Dr. Lanetta Jordan, SCDAA’s chief medial officer, said, “What we don’t support with the NCAA ruling is that this ruling primarily is based on someone getting sued, so it’s not linked to screening for the purpose of genetic counseling or parenting. It’s screening for protection of the universities, not protection of the athlete.”
Jordan is concerned that the testing may lead to discrimination against those with sickle cell trait, even though the NCAA says they should not. “Will recruiters be as quick to recruit someone with sickle cell trait?” Jordan asked. “It’s too early to tell, but will these students have the same opportunities as some without sickle cell trait? We don’t know that.”
The SCDAA recommends that the NCAA follow the military’s lead, who banned genetic testing for sickle cell trait in the 1970s in favor of changing exercise policies across the board to prevent the risk of anyone becoming overheated or suffering from heat exhaustion during training.
Shadra Bruce is a contributing writer for News By The Second.
