Gene doping is a developing technology that poses the potential to alter athletes' genomes, enabling them to run faster or hit harder by injecting a virus containing modified genes into their bodies. This is the same method used in the medical practice of gene therapy, which has yet to prove successful. In fact, multiple deaths have been reported since the first gene therapy experiment in 1990, including last year's death of Jolee Mohr, a 36-year-old mother of two.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited gene doping in 2003, which means that no Olympic athlete may use this dangerous technology to cheat in sport. But professional sports organizations do not yet prohibit gene doping, even though they have athletes competing in the Olympics.
Friends of the Earth sent letters to the National College Athletic Association (NCAA), National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), United State Golf Association (USGA), Arena Football League (AFL), Major League Lacrosse (MLL), and National Lacrosse League (NLL). We requested that the organizations respond by Monday, August 4, but so far have only received responses from a few. The NHL and MLS said that they abide by the WADA prohibited substances and methods list, which includes gene doping. The NLL said that they plan on adopting an anti-gene doping policy and the MLB said that they will consider prohibiting gene doping for the 2009 season.
The NCAA also responded, but refused to commit to a ban on gene doping. (See all responses here.) Friends of the Earth believes that our student athletes should be at the top of our list in terms of putting an anti-doping ban in place and is urging you to join us to put pressure on the NCAA. Click here to sign on to our letter to the NCAA.
Another Doping Scandal Looms for Major League Baseball
Pro Sports Asked to Ban Gene Doping
Gregory Stock’s article "Unnatural Birth" (pdf)
An audio clip of Lee Silver’s interview with ESPN
Brent Blackwelder's essay on gene doping and athletics
Brent Blackwelder's statement to the House Government Reform Committee on Steroids in Baseball
