In the past ten years, the issue of gene doping has become more prevalent in the athletic community. With the arrival of new technologies able to repair genetic disorders and other diseases and injuries in athletes, it is inevitable that other athletes would be willing to take advantage of this technology to enhance their own abilities. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) currently defines gene doping as “the non-therapeutic use of cells, genes, genetic elements, or of the modulation of gene expression, having the capacity to improve athletic performance”[1]. Gene doping would be used in a number of different ways, such as the increase in recovery rate of muscles or stronger joints and tendons. However, unlike other doping agents used by athletes, such as the anabolic steroid Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), gene doping would be virtually undetectable in a blood or urine test, the most common occurring tests in the athletic community. Gene doping provides a lot of different positions in regard to the availability of this technology on a recreational basis, and one of these is the problem that, if gene therapy for improvement becomes more common in the spectators, the same technology should be available for the athletes.
As genetic technology improves, the demand for these technologies will greaten, and one of the main bodies demanded these changes will be the athletic community. Athletes have a long and interesting relationship with doping and steroids; however, if gene therapy for enhancement becomes more popular, it will also infiltrate sporting events. Gene doping, as it is known as, will divide the athletic world, particularly at the Olympics, most favourably swimming and track and field events. The rigorous physical demand placed on the athletes will mean that many will turn to genetic technology to improve themselves. Athletes will request gene therapy to improve muscle wasting rates, to combat disorders and complications in their training and...