![]() ![]() Scientists who lead the field in developing gene therapy techniques in laboratory animals have also reported being inundated with enquiries from sports people keen to know more. However, emails that surfaced during a trial of a German track and field coach Thomas Springstein in 2006 showed that people behind some athletes were at least thinking about genetic modification as a way forward. Since it cannot be detected, no one really knows whether athletes are using it or not.Ĭhris Cooper, a professor of sports and exercise science at Essex University and author of a book called “Run, Swim, Throw, Cheat” thinks it is “hugely unlikely anyone is gene doping” and says the focus should be on people who use well-known performance enhancers like anabolic steroids and blood doping. Gene doping - in which DNA is introduced into the body using an inactivated virus or by other means - could alter a person’s genetic make-up and improve athletic performance by increasing muscle growth, blood production, endurance, oxygen dispersal or pain perception. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says it is ploughing “significant” money and resources into research into finding ways to detect genetic enhancement of athletes. Officially, UK Anti-Doping, the body which oversees the control of performance enhancing drugs in Britain, says genetic manipulation as a form of performance enhancement “is currently a theoretical rather than a proven issue”.īut Andy Parkinson, UKAD’s chief executive said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone out there is trying to do it, and I think that’s very worrying.” What is certain, from scientific studies and from surveys of elite sports people, is that it is technically feasible to use genetic modification to improve sporting performance, and that some athletes are prepared to risk their lives if they could be guaranteed to win gold medals. But since sports authorities’ drug testing methods still lack the sophistication needed to pick up gene doping, its status remains unclear. Some fear the use of gene therapy to improve athleticism is already a reality. It may not be long before we get the first genetically modified athlete. ![]() LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - There have been “marathon mice”, “Schwarzenegger mice” and dogs whose wasted muscles were repaired with injected substances that switch off key genes. * Tests can’t detect it, so status of gene doping unclear * Gene doping likely to be dangerous and risky in humans * Animal experiments show gene therapy can boost performance ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |