Ethical concerns regarding genetic testing for Y chromosome presence in athletes: A position statement of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) expresses significant ethical concern regarding the mandatory genetic testing of the SRY gene (HGNC:11311) to determine Y chromosome presence among participants in women’s competitions. The recent decision made by the World Athletics (effective September 1, 2025) followed by the International Olympic Committee (effective for the Olympic Games in 2028) to require SRY genetic testing,1-3 demonstrates a lack of understanding of the complex mechanisms governing sex development and disregards best practices for genetic testing.