Gene Doping, Now a Reality!

[huge285]

The latest way to boost performance


Treatment developed for severe anemia increases production and endurance of red blood cells



By Margaret Munro, Canwest News ServiceFebruary 5, 2010




Gene doping is the latest trend in performance-enhancing treatments for athletes. While it has been banned since 2004 there is still not an approved testing method to discover it.




As many of the fittest humans on Earth converge here for the Olympics, scientists are stepping up warnings about gene doping.


Athletes need to be aware of the grave dangers of inserting genes and DNA into their bodies to try to boost strength and endurance, say leading researchers working with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
While there has yet to be a proven case of gene doping, they report today in the journal Science that it is "coming temptingly close."


A German coach was caught in 2006 trying to obtain Repoxygen, an experimental virus designed to deliver a gene that could enhance performance.


Developed as a treatment for severe anemia, Repoxygen therapy "infects" patients with a virus carrying a gene that prompts cells to produce erythropoietin, or EPO, a protein that boosts the production of red blood cells and their endurance.


And a Chinese genetics laboratory reportedly offered gene-base manipulations before the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
"It is not clear whether these or other similar attempts reached the stage of actual use in human athletes, but there seem to be few technical barriers standing in the way," says the Science report co-authored by Olivier Rabin at WADA in Montreal and Theodore Friedmann, a gene therapy expert at the University of California, and chair of WADA's expert group on gene doping.


Gene therapy techniques are improving rapidly and are proving to be valuable medical treatments for several diseases, including "Bubble Boy" immune deficiency syndrome and a genetic form of blindness, Friedmann said in a telephone interview.


And gene-manipulation techniques being developed for treatment of diabetes, obesity and muscle disease have been shown to enhance muscle function and endurance in animal experiments.


Rabin and Friedmann stress the techniques are "imperfect and still highly risky," noting that gene therapy has induced leukemia in some patients involved in medical trials.


"But the fact is that these tools are getting much more available," says Friedmann.


"And in the hands of people who would like to use them, there is little stopping them."


The World Anti-Doping Agency is so concerned about gene doping, it banned it in 2004. But it has yet to approve tests to detect it.
Friedmann says detecting illicit gene manipulation is a formidable challenge. And while several tests are in development, none has yet been validated and approved for use.


Part of the problem is that many world-class athletes have inherited natural genetic endowments that set them apart, and detecting people who have turned to science for a little enhancement is not going to be easy.


But Friedmann says there are tests on the horizon that look at activity of the genes and proteins and should be able to pick up the "molecular signature" of gene doping.


In the meantime, online marketing campaigns are already advertising potions and treatments to "alter muscle genes . . . by activating your genetic machinery" and to make genetic limitations "a thing of the past." Friedmann says such unfounded claims could mislead "vulnerable" athletes looking for an edge.


He is also concerned that some academics -- notably Andy Miah of the University of the West of Scotland -- have been suggesting genetic enhancement may not be all bad, and may be safer than some of the doping practices now in use.


All of which has Friedmann and his colleagues appealing to scientists to "reaffirm their responsibilities to conduct and report their work by means consistent with international ethics codes of clinical research" and to not oversell gene advances.


"Some athletes and coaches will be tempted, prematurely and unwisely, to take advantage of results packaged by some as performance enhancement 'breakthroughs,' even if they are untested in humans and the only 'breakthrough' is faster or stronger mice," they say.


As for the Vancouver Games, Friedmann says he "wouldn't be shocked" if gene doping rumours, accusations and revelations surface as the athletes take to the ice and slopes.

[John Romano]

I uncovered this in 2008!! Everyone denied it. hahaha.... Good-bye steroids, the future is here!

[triceptor]

Mauro talked about this and also localized injections of modified cells directly into muscle bellies which is being done right now abroad on Super Human radio a few weeks ago

[jaydhee1]

and no testing available yet? Wonder how many olympic athletes got their paws on this?

[Miami Muscle]

How much?
Sides?
PCT?
lol

[Triple-H_2005]

Where do I sign up?

[Spauldo]

Where do I sign up?

I second that motion

[KTTraining]

Scientist and experts felt as early as the 2004 olympics could have had gene doping athletes. Heres an article about that back then. Wada recognized gene doping before 2004 olympics.
Gene doping will produce super breed of athletes, claims scientist


New hi-tech methods could be in use at this year's Olympics
Jonathan Thompson


Sunday, 25 July 2004





A new generation of "genetically modified" athletes, whose performance has been improved by the injection of undetectable foreign DNA, could be competing at next month's Olympics, according to a controversial new book published this week.

A new generation of "genetically modified" athletes, whose performance has been improved by the injection of undetectable foreign DNA, could be competing at next month's Olympics, according to a controversial new book published this week.
Dr Andy Miah, a leading British scientist, argues that "gene doping" is no longer a theory but has now become a practical reality, paving the way for a new wave of Olympic cheats. He claimed that athletes had already made contact with scientists at the forefront of GM research and even predicted that the eight-second 100 metres could be achievable within a few years.
"The issue of gene doping has been debated for the last two years or so. The question has always been: 'is it now, or is it in the future?'", said Dr Miah. "We know that scientists have been approached by unnamed athletes. Without a doubt, it is possible that there could be a genetically modified athlete at the Olympic Games this year."
Dr Miah's allegations will cast yet another unwelcome shadow over preparations for the 28th modern Olympics, which begin on 14 August. Organisers, athletes and fans were shocked yesterday by claims that Marion Jones took [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]drugs[/color][/color] to enhance her performance at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, at which she won three gold medals. Ms Jones is one of 27 international athletes being investigated for using the previously undetectable steroid THG.
Gene doping - also an undetectable process at present - was considered by most experts to be a hypothetical threat. Many believed it would not register on the Olympic radar until the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]2008 [COLOR=blue !important]games[/color][/color][/color] in Beijing. As a result, Dr Miah's claims will cause the International Olympic Committee serious concern.
The gene doping process - placed on the list of banned substances and methods by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) last year - involves the transfer of extra genes into the body to build up key areas such as muscle, tissue or red blood cells. This is usually done by injecting, or sometimes inhaling, the necessary DNA, usually "encapsulated" in a virus.
Contentiously, Dr Miah's book, Genetically Modified Athletes, argues that gene doping could be a good thing for the future of




..................

[Ironguru]

Where do I sign up?

x3. This actually looks like it might safer than steroids and HGH.

[Swede]

*cough* Usain bolt *cough*

[Dee]

*cough* Usain bolt *cough*

Maybe.....but then again i think any athlete who steps onto a stage as big as the olympics has used something at some time whilst training....

the reason i dont think Bolt is doping is because if you look at the past 100M sprint champs (ben johnson, Donovan baily, Maucrice Greene) they were all faily muscular dudes.....Bolt isnt that big at all.....I think his run mechanic is what sets him apart......

As far is Gene doping is concerned....the potential is great, but so possiblity of serious sides....using viral hosts/vectors isnt like traditional drugs....
Interesting to see where this goes.

[Ironguru]

*cough* Usain bolt *cough*

The new Gene doping pose?