Scientists are currently working on ways to use stem cells to boost health. ut many fear that these ‘blank’ cells could be used in the future as a highly advanced from of doping.
Some experts have begun to speculate that injecting stem cells into muscles, ligaments or other parts of the body could help to keep them healthy under strain or even improve their performance. The ability to regenerate more readily could have a big impact in sports.
The technologies to achieve performance gains are not yet with us and other scientists have doubts as to how much impact stem cells would have on already healthy muscle and tissue.
But the anti-doping bodies are already looking at ways of tackling the potential problem. Detecting whether someone had introduced their own stems cells back into their body would be very hard to detect, but the effects of such action may be easier to trace.
But if there are no negative side effects of using stem cells it may open up a whole new debate on whether it should be banned.
For it to be designated as banned WADA must decide it fulfils two of the following three criteria:
- the substance is performance-enhancing
- there are health risks to the athlete with use of the substance
- use of the substance violates the spirit of sport.
Given that the third condition is quite subjective there could be a lot of debate focussed on this issue over the coming months and years.
Have you got something to say about this story? Make your views known in our forum.
