Regulating Genetic Advantage in Sports
Explore the regulations and ethical considerations surrounding genetic advantage in sports, including the prohibition of gene doping by organizations like the World Anti-Doping Association. Discover real-life examples of athletes with genetic advantages and the implications of gene manipulation on competitive performance.
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Presentation Transcript
Regulating Genetic Advantage Sarah Polcz, Center for Law and the Biosciences, Stanford Law School Anna Lewis, Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University
Gene Doping The World Anti Doping Association proactively banned any form of gene therapy/gene transfer technology in 2003 At the time, gene therapy was an immature technology not yet adequately developed for successful use in humans WADA introduced the term gene doping WADA s rules, which initially applied just to the Olympics, now also cover the the NCAA and the International Military Sports Council (CISM)
Eero Mntyranta, champion Finnish skier with magic blood Won three Olympic Golds, two world championships, and setting records as one of the greatest Olympians ever to compete in his sport. He was found to have an abnormally high red blood cell count, which allowed his blood to carry more oxygen, in turn giving him a competitive edge.
EPOR c.6002G>A Variant found segregating in his extended family. Due to this variant, his body naturally had ~50% more red blood cells Albert de la Chapelle et al., Truncated erythropoietin receptor causes dominantly inherited benign human erythrocytosis, 90 P . N A . S . 4995 (1993)
Vignette put to 400 Americans Scientists have discovered Gene Z relates to success in long distance competitive running. Gene Z enables more oxygen to be carried in the blood. Gene Z is not enough on its own; hard work, training, and diet are important contributing factors to winning. It is well known that scientists can now give Gene Z to people who are not born with it, at low cost. Some people will experience side effects, including higher likelihood of injury. Many race winners in the past 50 years have had Gene Z. A person without Gene Z would be less likely to win, even with hard work, training, and the right diet.
Our results no mention of genetic modification In response to a modified version of Statement 2 People who were born with Gene Z should be permitted to race with people who were not born with Gene Z given Vignette (a) (see Methodology), 86% Agreed or were indifferent. In response to a modified version of Statement 2 People who were born without Gene Z should have a race category that people who were born with Gene Z cannot compete in for the same vignette, 43% Agreed or were indifferent. N=200.
Sports as a microcosm for other application areas Not only is sports an application area of interest in its own right, it s also more broadly relevant as it acts as a catalyst for [such] discussions, and a social microcosm, a kind of laboratory, where the impact of biotechnology is publically visible and practically displayed.
