title: [Gene doping--current possibilities, risks and means of prevention].
abstract: With the advances in gene therapy fears of an abuse in sports arise. The WADA's definition of the term strictly differentiates between gene doping and gene therapy. There are in vivo and ex vivo practices to manipulate the different phases of gene expression in the organism, with viral vectors being looked upon as the most efficient ones. IGF-1, PPARδ, MSTN and EPO play the most important roles in today's scientific research. Their potential was proven in various animal studies, showing a significant improvement of performances. Potential risks for human users include severe immune reactions, mutagenesis, and raised risk for cancer. Big efforts are being put into the development of ways of detection, however until now there are neither practicable methods of control nor any reported cases of manipulated humans. Still, a usage of gene doping that has already taken place cannot be ruled out and is highly likely.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Arbeitsmedizin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Zentrum für Human- und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Freie Universität & Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pleger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vitzthum
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schöffel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Quarcoo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uibel
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Groneberg
mesh_terms: D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000379:methods / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000639:trends*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques / Q000639:trends*; D024861:Genetic Enhancement / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors