An Athletic Anarchy

The research the Human Genome Project has made is making it possible for athletes to "gene dope." This is the term for the enhancement of genes in order to increase one's athletic ability. Scientists are able to take the genes of animals and engineer them into humans' genes. Individuals have taken sides as to whether they believe this type of engineering should be illegal or not. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is strongly against gene-doping while many biochemists think it could benefit the sports world. One example of gene doping is borrowing the twitch muscles of a rat in order to help a sprinter increase his or her speed. Any gene taken from an animal would make a human faster and stronger. Animals were genetically built different than humans so by taking these genes the author of this article believes athletes would be becoming "superhuman." Athletics would become a "freak-show," where it would only be possible to compete in professional sports if individuals have undergone gene doping. It would eliminate all sorts of training and practicing because the most nonathletic human in the world could get this procedure done and they suddenly have all the skills they need. It would take away the virtue of hard work and would teach children that it's possible to be successful without doing anything to earn it. "It would produce excellence without effort, challenging the spirit of the Olympics and the meaning of sports competition." This is a type of steroid however it is overlooked because it is not technically a drug that is injected into the body. There are some positive benefits to gene doping which would include quick recovery or a decrease in sports injuries. Individuals whose genes have been enhanced would not be susceptible to injury. This kind of genetic engineering would also help repair injured muscles quickly and with little effort. In March of 2004, gene doping was tested on mice to observe and determine these benefits or detriments. The mice were injected with a gene that promotes growth and the mice underwent an unbelievable transformation. The scientists recorded up to a fifty percent muscle growth after the gene doping. When they exercised, the mice's muscle strength increased by thirty-five percent. Although gene doping evidently results in positive affects today, it is unknown what the future will hold. Since this is the first generation of this kind of genetic engineering, who knows what the long-term effects will be. Right now athletes see improvement in their skills so their desire for gene doping is high. It would be a revolution in the sports world. John Hoberman from the University of Texas at Austin said, "inevitably it's going to turn [sports] into a kind of circus--freak show."

Gregory M. Lamb. "Genetic Enhancement of Athletes Might Harm Sports." Contemporary Issues Companion: Genetic Engineering. Ed. Sylvia Engdahl. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 7 Feb. 2010. http://find.galegroup.com..