Genetic engineering = Juiced !

Muscular development without exercise?

Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have isolated a gene that alters muscle metabolism and performance. There are many potential legitimate health benefits if this can be developed into practical use for those with muscular diseases or the elderly. I think this is a good thing when we help those who need actual medical care to ease suffering or overcome injury.

However, one of the doctors speaks about the impact on the future of high-performance athletes. He does so in a tone that to me comes across as being a positive potentiality. Here everyone wonders why professional cyclists pump themselves full of drugs, and it's because there are motivated doctors to not only push the envelope but who also make bigger and stronger envelopes artificially.

With this in mind I think we can safely say we'll never see an end to the doping problem in cycling. There will always be those few people on the fringes looking to do what nobody else can do, be it medicinally or athletically. We can only hope we get to the 80/20 rule of life where 80% aren't doping while 20% are. Once the sport reaches that level it may become the tipping point for change.

The impression put upon every stakeholder in cycling is that almost everyone is involved in some type of doping program. I'm not saying illegal doping that's above the restricted limits, but doping within the limits that doesn't garner a suspension. That's a problem I believe to be more prevalent than everyone imagines. In other words, it's only doping if you test above the legal limit. It's happening.....

A thought, here's what cycling needs.....it's own version of Jose Canseco to blow the lid off it all. He singlehandedly created the steroids uproar and without a doubt facilitated change. Nobody necessarily agrees with Jose's approach and dislike him in general, but there's one thing you can't argue.....he got results. It is high time to point fingers.