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The Vancouver Olympics begin February 12th. And scientists are on high alert. Not just for well-known ways to gain an advantage, like steroids or blood doping. The researchers are also worried about what’s called genetic doping. It’s the latest in elite athletic cheating.
Researchers writing in the journal Science point to a few different types of gene therapy that could get hijacked for athletics instead of medical uses, like the treatment of obesity, diabetes or muscle disease. For example, genes for insulin-like growth factor could enhance muscle mass. And molecules that regulate the expression of genes may make athletes more energy efficient, or help create more slow-twitch muscle fibers.
It’s known that in the past few years, a coach in Germany and a lab in China have tried to get these kinds of therapies into the hands of competitors. So the scientific community wants to get ahead of this by figuring out what molecular signatures might be left in cheaters’ bodies after genetic doping.
The researchers do point out that these treatments have so far only been able to produce “faster or stronger mice.” But that doesn’t mean somebody getting an Olympic medal isn’t a rat.
—Cynthia Graber
[The above text is an exact transcript of this podcast.]
For more, see Athlete alert: Is genetic juicing set to replace steroids?
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4 Comments
Add CommentWhat is "natural" and what is not? Athletes have always sought new and better ways to condition their bodies for competition through choosing the chemicals they put into their bodies (through food and drink) and by creating new workout routines. They practice day in and day out. So these athletes are already far from what the natural state of the human condition is. Why do they continue to draw these arbitrary lines? It's really holding us back from seeing what the human body is capable of in its most efficient state. Rather than banning these things, I think we should throw the doors wide open and let athletes do whatever they can to their own bodies to win. Not only would this add a whole new level of excitement to the games, but we would all benefit by the knowledge gained from what would be a great experiment!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswhy do we need all these s
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhen are they going to crack down on the most widespread form of cheating of all? Exercise and training! Athletes see tremendous gains through carefully tailored training programs wherin they unfairly condition their bodies to perform the very events they are competing in. I say lets require athletes to lie down motionless for at least 6 months before an event and be fed through a tube an exclusive diet of cheeseburgers. The individuals who can run fast and jump high after that deserve a medal.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBut you know what it costs us each year, the fight against doping?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://sportagel.blogspot.com/2011/04/quanto-costa-la-lotta-al-doping.html
An absurd figure, then do not fix it!