Gene Doping

Training Bodybuilding
1

Wasn’t sure where to post this but this is a great article from Scientific American. The article is about inserting synthetic genes into muscle allowing for increased muscle specific IGF, inhibiting myostatin (puts a stop to muscle growth), and even changing fiber types. The article is long but really worth the read to give you an idea of future possibilities. It would be good to have a discussion about what everyone thinks about the possibility of altering our genes to increase muscle size through hypertrophy/hyperplasia, changing fiber types, etc.

The article was obtained from a database available on my college campus:

http://www.josh-stephens.com/genedoping.pdf

Source: Scientific American, Jul2004, Vol. 291 Issue 1, p62, 8p, 9 diagrams, 2c, 1bw
Authors: Sweeney, H. Lee; H. L. S.
Abstract: The article discusses doping in sports. Despite repeated scandals, doping has become irresistible to many athletes, if only to keep pace with competitors who are doing it. Sports authorities fear that a new form of doping will be undetectable and thus much less preventable. Treatments that regenerate muscle, increase its strength, and protect it from degradation will soon be entering human clinical trials for muscle-wasting disorders. Among these are therapies that give patients a synthetic gene, which can last for years, producing high amounts of naturally occurring muscle-building chemicals. This kind of gene therapy could transform the lives of the elderly and people with muscular dystrophy. Unfortunately, it is also a dream come true for an athlete bent on doping. Preventing athletes from gaining access to them could become impossible. INSET: Natural Advantage.

2

I think I posted this during a bad part of the day so I’m replying to see if I can get a good discussion going. This article was also just represented in the latest ghost dawg.

So if availabe, would you alter your genes to inhibit myostatin, change muscle types, or alter any other mechanism to increase strength and or hypertrophy?

I’m kind of back and forth on the issue. In one way, I think I’d want to just see how far I could go with what god gave me, limitations and all. Another part of me thinks there’s nothing wrong with improving nature’s mistakes or enhancing what she has given us.

3

ya apparently gene doping may have already entered the mainstream, beginning with US athletes in the Athens Olympiad. I really believe there is no way the US, Australia, Russia and China has athletes that can be that much better than those from other countries. The americans, chinese, and russians have covered up positive tests from their athletes for years now and perhaps gene therapy is the reason for the almost non existant positive tests amongst their athletes in Athens this summer.