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Doping in Sport: New Developments

100%

Krych K., Goździcka-Józefiak A.

Human Movement

2008

vol. 9

issue 1

62-75

Gene doping is defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as "the non-therapeutic use of genes, genetic elements and/or cells that have the capacity to enhance athletic performance." The rapid development of molecular biology has enabled not only treatment of many diseases, but also improvement of athletes' fitness. Gene therapy methods can be used to modify the athlete's body by inserting genes into the target tissue. It is very possible that in near future, many genes will be used in gene doping, e.g. erythropoietin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth hormone and vascular endothelial growth factor. Functional tests conducted by many independent laboratories proved that products of these genes exert a crucial influence on the body's adaptation to exercise. The risk of gene doping is enormous. Gene therapy is currently in the phase of clinical tests so it is impossible to predict what kind of side effects it may produce. Studies on animal models showed that the uncontrolled transgene expression and insertional mutagenesis can even lead to death. At present the detection of gene doping is very difficult for a variety of reasons. The main problem is the identification of the transgene and endogenously produced protein. The only possible detection is the biopsy of the target tissue, where the exogenous genes were inserted.

GENE DOPING IN SPORT – PERSPECTIVES AND RISKS

88%

Brzeziańska E., Domańska D., Jegier A.

Biology of Sport

2014

vol. 31

issue 4

251-259

In the past few years considerable progress regarding the knowledge of the human genome map has been achieved. As a result, attempts to use gene therapy in patients' management are more and more often undertaken. The aim of gene therapy is to replace defective genes in vivo and/or to promote the long-term endogenous synthesis of deficient protein. In vitro studies improve the production of human recombinant proteins, such as insulin (INS), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and erythropoietin (EPO), which could have therapeutic application. Unfortunately, genetic methods developed for therapeutic purposes are increasingly being used in competitive sports. Some new substances (e.g., antibodies against myostatin or myostatin blockers) might be used in gene doping in athletes. The use of these substances may cause an increase of body weight and muscle mass and a significant improvement of muscle strength. Although it is proven that uncontrolled manipulation of genetic material and/or the introduction of recombinant proteins may be associated with health risks, athletes are increasingly turning to banned gene doping. At the same time, anti-doping research is undertaken in many laboratories around the world to try to develop and refine ever newer techniques for gene doping detection in sport. Thanks to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other sports organizations there is a hope for real protection of athletes from adverse health effects of gene doping, which at the same time gives a chance to sustain the idea of fair play in sport.

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Doping in Sport: New Developments

GENE DOPING IN SPORT – PERSPECTIVES AND RISKS