Gene Transfer and Athletics : An Impending Problem / Theodore Friedmann, Johann Olav Koss. - (Molecular Therapy 3 (2001) 6 (June) : p. 819-820)
Is it possible to imagine athletes, trainers, and sports associations irresponsible enough to use the currently highly experimental and imperfect techniques of gene transfer for athletic use? Sadly, yes.
As imperfect and immature as they may be, as little as we know about their long-term dangers, current gene transfer methods may prove to be irresistible to the sports world.
It is hoped that other bodies, including athletic associations, the gene therapy community, and review and regulatory agencies, take the
issue seriously and begin to plan how they might prevent or respond to premature gene transfer attempts in athletes.