This seems like something that should be possible, but I am having
trouble setting up a function to accept a generic type as a parameter.

A basic function that shows what I am trying to do:

Public Class BaseRecord(Of T)
   Protected _id As Integer
   Public ReadOnly Property ID() As Integer
       Get
           Return _id
       End Get
   End Property
End Class

Public Class StringRecord
   Inherits BaseRecord(Of String)

   Private _value As String
   Public ReadOnly Property Value() As String
       Get
           Return _value
       End Get
   End Property
End Class

Public Class Validation
   Public Shared Function ValidateRecord(ByVal record As
BaseRecord(Of Object)) As Boolean
       If record.ID < 0 Then
           Return False
       Else
           Return True
       End If
   End Function
End Class

However, when I try to call the validation function like this:

Dim rec As New StringRecord()
Validation.ValidateRecord(rec)

I get an error stating "Value of type StringRecord cannot be converted
to BaseRecord(Of Object)"

I have tried making the function "Byval record as BaseRecord(Of T)"
but it states that "Type T is not defined"

Is there a way to pass this record as I am attempting or do I need to
completely rethink the way I am wanting to do validation?

Thank you,
Mike