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.
McKanna
Trudy A
TA
Spectrum Health Genetic Services, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. trudy.mckanna@spectrum-health.org
Toriello
Helga V
HV
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