Vancouver+Olympics+Spur+Gene+Doping+Warnings

[|National Geographic] February 4, 2010

The topic I searched was gene doping. This topic interested me because I am involved with several sports, and I was curious to see how the athletes in the world were adapting to the steroid tests. The article I read was about how gene doping is like steroids, in that it enhances the performance of an athlete, and will allow them to grow bigger, stronger, and faster. Misusing the treatments via gene doping is quite dangerous, and has a substantial risk of cancer or even death. To date, no Vancouver Olympian has been found to be involved with gene doping. Scientists admit that it is difficult for them to catch others cheating, because unlike drug enhancements, gene doping won’t show up in urine or existing blood tests. To catch these gene dopers, sports authorities are considering new testing methods based on examining the cheater’s cellular proteins and gene expressions. Some of the things that can affect gene expressions are gender, age, diet, and exercise. Gene doping can theoretically affect athletes in both a positive and negative way. Gene doping can increase an athlete’s performance, and will allow them to grow bigger, faster, and stronger. This is exactly what the athlete wants. There are some serious risks to gene doping though such as cancer or even death, which is a negative aspect. The opposing competitors who face this gene doper will be at an unfair disadvantage, which is also an undeniable negative. Gene doping could be equated to being the “new steroid” that scientists have recently discovered, and continue to learn more about.

Frank Holecek March 10, 2010