The next sporting scandal

Gene Doping
Written By Andy Miah

The next sporting scandal(2000, Sept 18) The Wall Street Journal, by S. Moore and A.C. Copetas [link] IOC Medical Director Dr. Patrick Schamasch is quoted as saying 'gene dopping will be the next issue' and comments on the challenge of staying ahead of the athletes. But how does the public perception of genetic technology change, as it is described as cheating and undermining what is valuable about being human? Might this encourage people to avoid genetic technology, precisely because it is seen as cheating human nature? This would be unfortunate where medical science is looking to genetics to solve health problems.

Andy Miah

Chair in Science Communication & Future Media, University of Salford, Manchester.

http://www.andymiah.net
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