The human genome and sport, including epigenetics and athleticogenomics: a brief look at a rapidly changing field.
Since Hugh Montgomery discovered the first of what are now nearly 200 "fitness genes", together with rapid advances in human gene therapy, there is now a real prospect of the use of genes, genetic elements, and/or cells that have the capacity to enhance athletic performance (to paraphrase the World Anti-Doping Agency's definition of gene doping). This overview covers the main areas of interface between genetics and sport, attempts to provide a context against which gene doping may be viewed, and suggests a futuristic legitimate use of genomic (and possibly epigenetic) information in sport.
Sharp
N C Craig
NC
Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, Uxbridge, West London,UK. c.sharp90@btinternet.com
D004300:Doping in Sports; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013177:Sports