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Gene doping is very much a concern among not only the scientific community but the athletic community as well. Gene doping can be descriped by the use of genetic elements or cellular components such as erythropoetin for health/athletic enhancement.
With upcoming genetic technology utalizing recombination techniques detecting such substances pose quite a enigma to athletic communitys already banning steroids and/or prohormons.
"This approach has the potential to improve sporting performance far beyond "traditional" pharmacological means and in ways that make detection of use extremely difficult if not impossible at the present time."1
Ethical issues surronding gene doping are important to consider as well. Namely gene mapping for individual competitors. In short this would consist of doing microassay of the competetors genes to obtain a "normal" map. Then before competition the assay would be ran again and any abnormalities would be noted. "Also, the use of tissue engineering in the recovery from injury, such as muscle atrophy following cruciate ligament injury. Once such gene therapy is clinically available then can we deny its benefits to athletes?"1
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DETECTION
Detection of such abuse poses quite a problem and wont be easy. Engineered genes are likely to look identical to the natural endogenous gene products already produced. Detection of the associated viral particals such as the vectors used to inoculate the genes may be possable but then again this would involve muscle biopsies and the use of such viral vectors is most likely going to be replaced by something more effiecent in the future (i.e. nanotechnology). Urine and blood are also ruled out because with natural like products comes natural like metabolites. Even with EPO gene transfer, finding a high hematocrit level may be suggestive but separating it from a naturally occurring gene mutaion is not easy. "Cyclists have shown that even with injectable EPO use, close medical monitoring ensures that red blood cell parameters can be contained within set levels making it difficult to even be suspicious that illicit gene doping may have occurred."1
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GENETIC BAR CODES
This to me is absolutly amazing coming from a genetical research point of view!
"The labelling of gene transfer products with genetic "bar codes" as has been suggested with GM modified agricultural produce may be another option however this would require the complete cooperation of scientists, ethicists, athletes, sports authorities, medical practitioners, professional societies, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries, and public authorities (including governments) to avert misuse. An unlikely scenario!"1
References
1.McCrory P., Super athletes or gene cheats BR J Sports Med 2003 Jun;37(3):192-3
2.Tomandl D, Schober A, Schwienhorst A. Optimizing doped libraries by using genetic algorithms. J Comput Aided Mol Des. 1997 Jan;11(1):29-38.
With upcoming genetic technology utalizing recombination techniques detecting such substances pose quite a enigma to athletic communitys already banning steroids and/or prohormons.
"This approach has the potential to improve sporting performance far beyond "traditional" pharmacological means and in ways that make detection of use extremely difficult if not impossible at the present time."1
Ethical issues surronding gene doping are important to consider as well. Namely gene mapping for individual competitors. In short this would consist of doing microassay of the competetors genes to obtain a "normal" map. Then before competition the assay would be ran again and any abnormalities would be noted. "Also, the use of tissue engineering in the recovery from injury, such as muscle atrophy following cruciate ligament injury. Once such gene therapy is clinically available then can we deny its benefits to athletes?"1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DETECTION
Detection of such abuse poses quite a problem and wont be easy. Engineered genes are likely to look identical to the natural endogenous gene products already produced. Detection of the associated viral particals such as the vectors used to inoculate the genes may be possable but then again this would involve muscle biopsies and the use of such viral vectors is most likely going to be replaced by something more effiecent in the future (i.e. nanotechnology). Urine and blood are also ruled out because with natural like products comes natural like metabolites. Even with EPO gene transfer, finding a high hematocrit level may be suggestive but separating it from a naturally occurring gene mutaion is not easy. "Cyclists have shown that even with injectable EPO use, close medical monitoring ensures that red blood cell parameters can be contained within set levels making it difficult to even be suspicious that illicit gene doping may have occurred."1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENETIC BAR CODES
This to me is absolutly amazing coming from a genetical research point of view!
"The labelling of gene transfer products with genetic "bar codes" as has been suggested with GM modified agricultural produce may be another option however this would require the complete cooperation of scientists, ethicists, athletes, sports authorities, medical practitioners, professional societies, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries, and public authorities (including governments) to avert misuse. An unlikely scenario!"1
References
1.McCrory P., Super athletes or gene cheats BR J Sports Med 2003 Jun;37(3):192-3
2.Tomandl D, Schober A, Schwienhorst A. Optimizing doped libraries by using genetic algorithms. J Comput Aided Mol Des. 1997 Jan;11(1):29-38.
Always expect the unexpected!
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