Gene doping
Gene Doping
Gene doping (/dʒiːn doʊpɪŋ/) is a non-therapeutic use of cells, genes, genetic elements, or of the modulation of gene expression, having the capacity to improve athletic performance. The term is closely related to genetic modification in humans, not to be confused with doping in sports.
Etymology
The term "gene doping" is derived from the words 'gene', a basic physical and functional unit of heredity, and 'doping', the use of banned athletic performance-enhancing drugs by athletic competitors. The term was coined to describe the potential misuse of gene therapy techniques for athletic advantage.
History
Gene doping has been a concern in the sports and athletic community since the early 2000s, when the first successful demonstrations of gene therapy were announced. It was feared that these therapies could be misused by athletes looking to gain an unfair advantage in competition.
Methods
Gene doping methods involve the use of gene transfer or gene editing techniques to artificially enhance athletic performance. These methods can include the use of viral vectors, plasmids, or CRISPR technology to introduce, remove, or change the expression of certain genes in an athlete's body.
Related Terms
- Gene Therapy: The therapeutic delivery of nucleic acid polymers into a patient's cells as a drug to treat disease.
- Genetic Modification: The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.
- Doping: The use of banned athletic performance-enhancing drugs by athletic competitors.
- Viral Vector: A tool commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells.
- Plasmid: A small DNA molecule within a cell that is physically separated from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently.
- CRISPR: A family of DNA sequences found in the genomes of prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and archaea.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gene doping
- Wikipedia's article - Gene doping
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