New technology and no drugs in sport: Gene Doping regulation, education and research

This article examines the current state of genetic doping, the use of gene therapy in sports medicine, and theethics of genetic improvement. The purpose of gene therapy is to use the foundations of genetic engineeringfor therapeutic use. Gene doping is a expansion of gene therapy. Innovative research in genetics andgenomics will be used not only to diagnose and treat disease, but also to increase endurance and musclemass. The first genetic therapy tests were conducted with proteins closely related to doping (e.g.erythropoietin and growth hormone). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an international organizationcreated in 1999 to "promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against doping in sport in all its forms,"defines gene doping as the "nontherapeutic use of cells, genes, genetic elements, or modulation of geneexpression, having the capacity to enhance performance" (World Anti-Doping Agency, 2008). This methodrepresents a new Technology, but not devoid of adverse and fatal effects; gene doping could be dangerousfor the athlete. The use of the athlete's biological-molecular passport represents a possible preventive andprecautionary anti-doping strategy. The best way to prevent gene doping is a combination of regulation,education, research and the known of health risks.