Gene doping: the hype and the harm.
"Gene doping" is the term used to describe the potential abuse of gene therapy as a performance-enhancing agent. Gene doping would apply the techniques used in gene therapy to provide altered expression of genes that would promote physical superiority. For example, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a primary target for growth hormone; overexpression of IGF-1 can lead to increased muscle mass and power. Although gene doping is still largely theoretical, its implications for sports, health, ethics, and medical genetics are significant.
Spectrum Health Genetic Services, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. trudy.mckanna@spectrum-health.org
Trudy A
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McKanna
Helga V
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Toriello
D000818:Animals; D054874:Athletic Performance; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000379:methods*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D024861:Genetic Enhancement; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I