Ongoing research into gene therapies that purport to enhance muscular development, have concerned anti-doping authorities for years. Such therapies, if successful, would radically alter the playing field of sport. The haves (athletes who could afford the procedure, or who hijack it) would dominate the games over the half-nots. Nonetheless medical researchers almost blindly push ahead (or push ahead for economic gain).
Discover magazine jumps on the controversy with this post. One commenter laments that holding up gene therapy because of doping cheats would slow down medical progress (although it never hurts to allow the ethics to catch up with the science).
A gene therapy treatment intended to reverse muscle weakness appears to restore muscle mass in monkeys, raising hopes that doctors may soon be able to treat this condition in humans with degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. Scientists injected a gene into the monkeys’ thighs that causes cells to produce human follistatin, which interferes with another compound called myostatin. Myostatin breaks down muscle, so in theory adding follistatin should encourage muscles to grow [Reuters].
Frankly medicine marches onward, not slowed by much even ethical concerns. As medicine becomes 'corporate' one wonders if the 'customers' who demand doping protocols, and who can afford the costs won't be rewarded in the future with out-sized sports achievements. Kinda like buying the World Series...or buying a gold medal.
How's it going?
You have a great sports blog here. This is my first time visiting but I like it a lot. I have two sports blogs and I'd like to exchange links with you. Let me know if this is cool.
Jason
SportsSoundOff.net
SPORTSMONARCH.com
Posted by: Jason | 11/14/2009 at 22:29
I think this is a wonderful sports blog. First time I have been to this site, but it you are now bookmarked for the future.
Posted by: hemroids treatment | 11/15/2009 at 23:59
You somehow think it's a negative that scientists are working on a treatment for muscular dystrophy and MS just because it could be misused by a few rich athletes? How small minded is that?
Posted by: Chris | 11/17/2009 at 18:41
Wow. Absolutely shocking that you are more concerned with an athlete using this for performance enhancement than you care about helping individuals with serious degenerative diseases.
Seriously insane IMO.
Posted by: T200 | 11/29/2009 at 16:23
Dr G. Your article needs to be tempered by spelling out for some people that you are being sarcastic. Your last two comments especially would definitely merit thought processes are concrete and fail miserably at abstraction.
I love the line "ethics catching up to science".
Posted by: Expendedlibido | 12/09/2009 at 07:48
So once everyone begins to alter their genes, ever so slightly, for that small advantage, will steroids once again become legal to possess? If we could alter our genetic makeup then steroids are really quite obsolete. If this is really all about Baseball then this medical miracle should end the witch hunts.
Perhaps, one day, people will watch their children and not propaganda with no basis in fact.
Seems at that point genetic modifications begin we would have bigger concerns and perhaps head-out-of-ass pulling could begin....??
Posted by: J-Man | 12/13/2009 at 09:24
I wonder what the course that makes this commenter to lament.
Posted by: colts jerseys | 05/20/2010 at 02:09
oh la la !
Posted by: gusty for | 05/24/2010 at 13:07
Generally, these imminent areas.
Posted by: UGG Boots UK | 11/02/2010 at 10:34
SLD: Make-Up-according to interpretation goes sooner with values.
Posted by: UGG Boots Sale | 11/02/2010 at 10:36
Where there is Darwinism In the specialized grounds, quotations are used to testify to a before purchasing it from sources such as pomp recognition racket, gps systems, wireless poop connectivity procedure, antennas and conditions as the lender stayed at a disadvantage for a while because sometimes quotations of the more expedient ways of growing a purchaser shameful and creating sign constancy around your outgrowth is with gardening tips or major league existence.
Posted by: Uggs On Sale | 11/02/2010 at 10:38
Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.
Posted by: dui lawyer new jersey | 12/25/2010 at 10:14
Oh mon Dieu, vous êtes une personne génie et un bon photographe i comme votre grace images.
Posted by: terimoore's Journal | 04/13/2011 at 04:22
The subsequent a various many years the group missed Dr. Martens Sandals playoffs. while in the 1960s, the group was back once again once again.
Posted by: jeff | 07/01/2011 at 23:14
Super post. I've been thinking about this very topic my guruish friend. Congratulations on being so consistently interesting. You Rock the Casbah everytime!
Posted by: Physician Assistant | 07/16/2011 at 02:14
I did not think could be surfing the web, as a lot of useful to find your site, I wrote my short happy.I discuss this informative article. This is awesome. The data in thispublication is useful to the industry care to the article. I am very grateful.
Posted by: knox jerseys | 08/15/2011 at 20:38
That was exactly what I was looking for. You have done a wonderful job communicating your message. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: rolex explorer | 10/11/2011 at 04:09
I admire your article. It contains valuable information. I want to thank you this great idea!
I am interested in your site,thanks.
Posted by: replica watches | 10/12/2011 at 02:03
Even if you are the only one who wants to save your troubled marriage you can do it alone once you know what you need to do. So, relax, take a deep breath and let's get started with some things you can do to get started on saving a troubled marriage.
Posted by: moncler jackets | 10/12/2011 at 05:50
I'm really happy I found it. thank you very much.
Posted by: UGG Classic Mini | 10/19/2011 at 21:55
Sorry,i don't know how to receive my response, why?
Christian Louboutin/Shoes/Sale/Cheap/Outlet/UK/Shop/Store/2011/Online/Discount/
http://www.christianlouboutinshoes-store.com/
Posted by: Christian Louboutin | 10/30/2011 at 02:29
I have muscle weakness only because i don't work out enough
Posted by: buildmuscle | 10/30/2011 at 23:10
What do you think about hgh releasers therapy? Is it also good?
Posted by: hgh releasers | 11/06/2011 at 05:15
That was exactly what I was looking for. You have done a wonderful job communicating your message. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Basketball Shoes | 11/08/2011 at 00:52
Athletes should not use any performance enhancing chemicals. Sport should be a celebration of what the NATURAL human body can achieve.
Posted by: Johnny (Young) | 03/07/2012 at 22:49
I really enjoyed this post,Keep up on it.
Posted by: cheap christian louboutin | 05/27/2012 at 09:56
Hello there! Superb content! I have been a regular website visitor (a bit more like addict :P ) of your website even though I had a problem. I am possibly not absoluterly certain if its the right place to ask, but you’ve got no spam comments. I get comments day-to-day. Will you help me? Thank you!
Posted by: Opodo British Airways Sale | 07/07/2012 at 06:51
I just want to mention I’m newbie to blogging and seriously savored your website. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You certainly come with really good well written articles. Thanks for sharing with us your webpage.
Posted by: Backlink info | 07/07/2012 at 07:06