Can DNA testing and astrology help children select a career path? Yes, claims a new edtech startup.

Consider this – a child’s interest in a specific area of study along with the guidance of teachers and parents will not be the only ingredient hereafter in determining the right career path. There’s a new silver bullet that could give your child’s career ‘a boost’ if the claims from a new edtech startup are to be believed.

GenLeap, which describes itself as the “world’s first DNA based self-discovery, upskilling and employability platform”, claims to use a proprietary triangulation methodology that will help students decode their talent and strengths. This first of its kind technique will reflect on the inherent abilities, the present state and, indicative directions towards future prospects.

After enrolling on the platform, users will undergo three types of evaluation. These will include the collection of saliva samples for DNA extraction, psychometric testing, and astrological calculations based on the date and time of birth. The algorithm will then come up with the top 10 career choices for the child. “The genomics will give a person’s inner strength — what they are capable of, a psychometric analysis will give you their state of mind, and cognitive astromancy will take into account stellar calculations to predict the correct career choices for the child,” as per the statement from GenLeap.

Post the ‘self-discovery’, GenLeap will connect aspirants to an ecosystem of schools, colleges, ed-tech, and career tech platforms, and finally employers – channelizing the right talent with relevant upskilling to make them happy and efficient people. As per Nimish Gupta, some educational institutes have already expressed interest in the test. GenLeap claims that the platform aims to not only predict career choices for children but also help adults upgrade their careers.

We aspire to help people find their path towards a meaningful life. Discover their passion. Focus more on the strengths. Cultivate character. Find the purpose to their existence. Our vision is to create a world where people love the work they do and are happy with what they gain in return. And to this end, besides self-discovery, we will present well-researched facts about the future of jobs, morphing of old roles and establishment of new jobs/skills” - Nitin Thakur, Co-Founder & MD, GenLeap.

The company, founded by Nimish Gupta, Sachin Sandhir, Nitin Thakur and, Shweta Kataria, has already raised ₹60 crore from marquee investors in its seed round. Genleap will be commercially launched in January 2022 and the program of ‘self-discovery’ will cost consumers ₹10,000 initially.

Experts go up in arms

Not just teachers but experts in the fields of psychology and genomics too find no scientific merit whatsoever in the startup’s claims and fear adverse psychological effects on the minds of impressionable young children.

While as a society, we are training children to trust their instincts and follow their passion, leading them to rely on the “science” of astrology to determine their career choices can be hugely counter-productive. The scientific community considers astrology to be only a pseudo-science that cannot make accurate predictions. Genetics play a big role in determining our appearance and behavioral traits. However, it cannot chart our life path with any certainty, and using it to influence an important decision like career choice can provide a false sense of assurance to a child that he/she too can become successful like their hardworking parents. Psychometric tests can be considered at best as “indicative markers” but cannot assess the current or future potential of any individual.

Anusnigdha, an assistant professor of psychology at Krea University believes that the claims made by GenLeap are unscientific and can have devastating effects on the child depending on how old they are. Despite the expert’s concerns, Genleap co-founder Nimish Gupta insisted that the company’s claims are based on “scientific evidence and research”.

Given the nature of the claims on both ends, there isn’t yet any “conclusive evidence” that can settle the debate. As responsible parents, we can only exercise due caution before enrolling our children in the program and setting a precedent that teaches children to rely on the unseen and the unknown.