18 Questions
What is gene doping?
Using genetic materials to improve nontherapeutic athletic performance.
How is athletic performance enhanced according to the text?
Through a combination of inherited genetic capabilities and acquired skills.
What are some of the risks associated with gene doping?
Unknown long-term health consequences and potential side effects.
How does gene doping differ from assisted reproductive technology?
ART deals with genetics for therapeutic purposes while gene doping is nontherapeutic.
How can genes be introduced for gene doping?
Introducing new genes into tissues of the body to enhance athletic performance.
What determines our physical traits and athletic potential as per the text?
Inherited genetic capabilities and acquired skills.
What is the main reason behind the need for a strict framework of gene applications for human enhancement purposes?
To ensure therapeutic and ethical use
What has WADA done to address the risks of gene-based doping since 2000?
All of the above
In what year did WADA ban the use of genetically modified cells and gene therapy for enhancing sport performance?
2003
What is one of the significant actions taken by WADA regarding gene doping?
Including it in the Prohibited List of Substances and Methods
Why is the scientific community increasingly exposed to the challenge of gene applications for human enhancement purposes?
Due to the potential risks associated with gene-based doping
What type of programmes are being planned by WADA as part of their actions against gene doping?
Educational programmes
What is the main purpose of engineering a virus in gene therapy?
To introduce new therapeutic genes into cells
What distinguishes viral methods from non-viral methods in gene therapy?
Non-viral methods use DNA plasmids for gene transfer
In the context of gene doping, why are techniques of gene therapy considered powerful and effective?
Due to their ability to boost muscle growth
What makes gene editing harder to detect than conventional gene therapies?
Ability to restrict the changes to specific tissues like muscle
Why may the risk/benefit ratio of gene therapy be acceptable in patients with certain conditions but not in healthy athletes?
Risk/benefit ratio may address medical needs but not ethical concerns in athletes
What is an inevitable future application of genetic methods according to the text?
Preventing normal degeneration of muscle in human aging
Study Notes
What is Gene Doping?
- Use of genes, genetic elements, or cells for non-therapeutic purposes to enhance athletic performance
- Involves modifying genes to improve physical traits, such as muscle growth and oxygen transfer
Genetics and Athletic Performance
- Human cells contain around 25,000 genes
- Genetic heritage determines physical traits and athletic potential, as well as personality and intellectual traits
Methods of Gene Doping
- Modification of genes using viruses to introduce new genes into tissues
- Non-viral methods involve using DNA alone (plasmids) to transfer genetic information
- Gene editing: tiny alterations to DNA in existing genes to temporarily boost or switch off gene activity
Risks and Concerns
- Gene doping poses health risks and is unethical in healthy athletes
- Techniques are powerful, effective, and difficult to detect
- Risk/benefit ratio may be acceptable in patients, but not in normal healthy athletes
Future of Gene Doping
- Genetic methods will likely be used to modify conditions, such as preventing muscle degeneration in aging
- Genetic enhancement of athletic performance in sport seems inevitable
- Techniques and tools are immature and potentially harmful, and should be excluded from sport
Preventing Gene Doping
- Need for strict framework of use restricted to therapeutic and ethical use
- Rules and safeguards must be established by governments to ensure ethical and safe use
- WADA's actions: alerted scientific community to risks, organized workshops, provided financial support to research, and included gene doping in prohibited list
WADA's Actions
- 2003: banned use of genetically modified cells and gene therapy
- 2018: included gene editing agents in prohibited list
- Educational programs planned to prevent gene doping
Explore the concept of gene doping, genetics, and how it enhances athletic performance. Learn about the placement of genes in the body and associated risks. Join us in promoting clean sports without doping!
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