SEATTLE, Feb 17, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) – U.S. scientists predict the discovery of gene therapy that increases strength by 30 percent will be the next scourge of professional sports.
The “gene-doping” technique is being developed to treat patients with muscular dystrophy and other wasting diseases, The Times of London reported.
Experiments at the University of Pennsylvania have shown that when mice are injected with a modified virus that adds a vital growth gene to their cells, they develop into heavily muscled, super-strong animals that the scientists have nicknamed “mighty mice.” The effects are nearly doubled when the gene therapy is coupled with “weight training.”
Such enhancements could produce significant improvements in speed, power and strength if given to an athlete, said Dr. Lee Sweeney, who led the Pennsylvania research.
Sweeney told the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Seattle although the technology was designed for bona fide medical purposes, it was inevitable it would be abused in sports.
He said he has already been approached by coaches and athletes seeking to try gene therapy, even though the technique is barely ready for patient trials.
I’ve got a pet rat that I’ve been trying to convince for months to begin a training program. So where can I order some of this mouse-sized weight equipment? Maybe Weider?? This ought to put an end to all his damn excuses, I’ll turn him into a T-Rat yet!!
lmao, dstrbd. I have the same problem. My German Shephard refuses to do his workout. I attach a sled to him and he only sits there with his tongue out of his mouth. I wish there were a way to motivate these damn animals. Don’t they want women (or at least their furry canine or rat woment)?