Authors : Kaushik S . A . , Khedkar T . S. and Gadhikar Y. A.
Page Nos : 397-403
Description :
Definition of gene doping by World Anti Doping
Agency (WADA) is as “the non
–
therapeutic use
of genes or cells that have the capacity to enhance athletic performanceâ€. Due to recent research related
to genome and particularly the success of Human Genome Project, robust data is available about genes
tha
t influence performance and endurance in athletes. Gene doping is an unwanted brainchild of gene
therapy. Gene therapy is used for medical treatment but gene doping is intended to change the function
of normal cells in a healthy sports person. The transfer
of gene could be performed by following methods:
i) by injecting the gene directly into the muscle, ii) inserting genetically modified cells into the body, iii)
using a vector to deliver the gene. Concerns are raised about the possible use of gene doping
in sports in
near future. In accordance with this threat, possible detection methods have also been developed.
According to WADA, the expression of the inserted gene could be measured as a change in a particular
protein or enzyme, or an increase in product
ion of red blood cells.
