Sports consecration can generate crosses between ethics and interest in breaking physical limitations. In this context, genetic doping – which implies genetic modification, altering the organism to obtain competitive advantages over the rest of the competitors – the debate on acceptable limits to achieve the improvement of human performance.
The latest advances in genetics are redefining our understanding of sports performance. It has been shown that, with the help of genetic tests, the limitations in terms of resistance, performance, strength and aerobic capacity with adequate training and adequate diet can be overcome. However, the desire to overcome all limits leads to resort to prohibited practices to highlight sports.
The challenges of genetic doping
According to studies, it is estimated that genetic factors could explain about 66% of the difference in the Atlético State between people. “Being an athlete depends on many factors, but today we know that a good part of our ability to do sports is brought at birth and is written in our DNA,” says Adrián Turjanski, researcher at CONICET and scientific director of GEN360.
However, with genetic manipulation, which has generated so many ethical and social concerns, it is possible that athletes alter their DNA to improve their performance. The director of Gen360 explains: “Thanks to Crispr, the most promising tool in gene edition and caused a stir in biotechnology and medicine, scientists can cut, hit and modify genes with unprecedented precision.”
While this practice opens the door to the cure of genetic diseases that once seemed impossible, it has its dark side. “The results are still unknown and there are many technological and ethical challenges. It is important to know that Crispr can make mistakes and there are chances of affecting the athlete and generating terrible results, ”warns the researcher.
Therefore, from the sports community, ways to detect are already being tested whether there is genetic doping or not behind the performances of athletes.
However, there are ethical applications that genetics enables through DNA tests carried out in accredited laboratories and with professional support. “Genetic tests have facilitated access to valuable information to improve sports performance and optimize food in a more personalized and effective way,” the specialist establishes.
A complete genetic analysis allows you to discover information on how the body processes nutrients, how can you respond to physical exercise and what type of diet can be more appropriate for each individual.
In addition, the study of our DNA allows us to know what are the risks behind certain injuries. “There are genetic variants that generate a higher risk of ligament ruptures, especially the previous cross ligament in the knee,” says Turjanski.
The director declares: “Thanks to the advances in genetic research, we are increasingly discovering the potential that genetics can perform in sports success. These findings inspire us to achieve even more surprising achievements through the combination of our innate talents and our hard work in training and nutrition. ”
Advances in genetic research allow us to discover the potential that genetics can play in sports success. These findings inspire us to achieve even more surprising achievements through the combination of innate talent with hard work focused on training and nutrition.
In turn, as a result of these advances, genetic doping represents a serious threat to the integrity of sport and mainly athletes. So it is necessary to act quickly and decisively to protect athletes and guarantee a clean play.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
