CHONGQING , China ( CNN ) -- At the Chongqing Children 's Palace , experts are hoping to revolutionize child-rearing with the help of science . About 30 children aged 3 to 12 years old and their parents are participating in a new program that uses DNA testing to identify genetic gifts and predict the future . For about $ 880 , Chinese parents can sign their kids up for the test and five days of camp . When Director Zhao Mingyou first heard about the technology earlier this year , he instantly knew it could be a success in China . `` Nowadays , competition in the world is about who has the most talent , '' said Zhao . `` We can give Chinese children an effective , scientific plan at an early age . '' The test is conducted by the Shanghai Biochip Corporation . Scientists claim a simple saliva swab collects as many as 10,000 cells that enable them to isolate eleven different genes . By taking a closer look at the genetic codes , they say they can extract information about a child 's IQ , emotional control , focus , memory , athletic ability and more . `` For basketball , we can test for height and other factors , '' said Dr. Huang Xinhua , a leading scientist on the project . `` We also test listening ability so that can tell us if ( the child ) might be talented at music . '' Would you be happy to test your child ? Have your say . DNA testing has been used more widely to determine susceptibility to genetic disease . The test can identify mutations in the genetic code that lead to certain disorders , allow patients to assess risk levels and decide whether they want preventative treatment . For example , the test can identify cancer genes that may make a woman more likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer . Some women have decided to have a mastectomy based on DNA test results and family history . But according to Chinese scientists , this is the first time the test is being offered to children in China to help discover their natural talents . For about $ 880 , Chinese parents can sign their kids up for the test and five days of summer camp in Chongqing , where the children will be evaluated in various settings from sports to art . The scientific results , combined with observations by experts throughout the week , will be used to make recommendations to parents about what their child should pursue . See photos of the summer camp and testing » . Dr. Huang said the testing can even help project careers down the road . Examining one child 's results , he told CNN : `` This child is very thoughtful and focused , so I suggest she go into management . '' Clinical psychologist Dr . Rob Blinn said the DNA test can be accurate but only `` within a sort of limited field '' and that results will not be `` dramatic . '' `` You 're not going to be able to predict that someone 's going to be like the next Einstein . It 's more like this person may have an IQ that 's maybe 5 or 10 points greater than this other person because of the absence or presence of these particular genes , '' he said . Still , parents are convinced it will help their child . It is no secret that China 's one-child policy often produces anxious and ambitious parents with high expectations for their only child . `` China is different from Western countries , '' said Yang Yangqing , the lab 's technical director . `` There is only one child in our families so more and more parents focus on their children 's education and they want to give them the best education . '' Along with parents , the Chinese government is also interested in giving talented children an early start on their careers . Children as young as two are regularly hand-picked by the government to represent China on the international stage . Future gymnasts , musicians , and basketball players are sent to rigorous training camps and specialized sports schools , and sometimes paid a government salary . There has been speculation China 's basketball hero , Yao Ming , was born of an arranged marriage between two well-known basketball players , in hopes of bearing an athletic superstar . Yao and his family have denied these reports . In an autobiography , Yao wrote that his parents actually discouraged him from playing the sport . `` My parents never wanted me to become a professional player , '' Yao wrote . `` They wanted a better life for me . '' Yao did start playing when he was nine years old . Three years later , he moved into Shanghai 's provincial sports academy where he lived and trained full time . `` My parents agreed only because playing basketball in a junior sports school can improve your chance of getting into college ; it counts as extra points on the college entrance exam . '' Yao 's family reportedly received special stipends from the government to purchase extra food . His success story may well be on the minds of parents in Chongqing . `` It 's better to develop her talents earlier rather than later , '' Chen Zhongyan said of her four-year-old daughter , who is attending the genetics camp . `` Now we can find when she is young , and raise her based on what her natural gifts are . '' Her daughter , Lai Hongni , has already shown a strong aptitude for dancing , while four-year-old twin boys Luo Lianzhao and Dong Liangtong appear to be good at drawing . `` This way we can really understand our kids , '' said the twins ' father , Mr. Dong , referring to the program . In the end , are these parents giving their kids a head start or taking a shortcut ? Critics of the program said such analysis has frightening implications . `` Kids , especially at younger ages , they need to have fun , they need to enjoy themselves , they need to find meaning in life , '' Dr. Blinn said . `` They need to have rich deep emotional interchange with their families and parents . '' `` Whether it 's really good for a two- or three-year-old to be sent off to a camp to be genetically tested , you know , and put in this track so early in life , I have some real doubts about whether that 's in the child 's best interest , '' Blinn added . `` It seems to be more in the parents ' best interest . '' But Chen Zhongyan said : `` We only have good intentions for ( our daughter ) . We think this will help her . '' It is fair to say many of the kids in Chongqing looked like they were having fun , whether they were jumping on ping pong tables , drawing or playing interactive games . `` I want to be the president of China , '' said three-year-old girl , Liu Xiao Liao . `` Then people will be scared of me . '' It seems that some of children may have grand ambitions all of their own .
Western five days of summer camp camps DNA tests kids for natural talents . Tests carried out for IQ , emotional control , memory , athletic ability and more . Believed to be first time DNA tests used to identify talents rather than disease . Chongqing 's as many as 10,000 -child policy has led to parents with high expectations .