Modern Doping

Finnish athlete Eero Mäntyranta won all this medal at another Olympics from 1960 to 1972. Scientists only found a secret trace of success 20 years later.

If Mäntyranta is still an athlete today, people will be accused of doping genes.He has more red blood cells that carry oxygen in the blood than other sportsmen - a clear advantage over competitors.But how he gained that advantage remained a mystery until 1993. At that time, Mäntyranta himself did not know the seemingly never-ending strength of

When exercise is not enough, sportsmen often help themselves with testosterone.(Photo: DPA)

Where did I come from?It was not until DNA analysis that it was known that one of his genes was mutated: the gene that stimulates red blood cell production in the body.This tiny difference has turned the little man into a super athletic.

Some sportsmen also dream of this for themselves and may soon reach the injection with unexpected risks and side effects.Although no doping gene has been detected so far, watchdogs and researchers have been worried for years that sportsmen and scientific helpers will soon try to polish. The genome of the athletes.

It's always a step slower

Proving such tricks is difficult.In order not to limp after the sportsmen - as in other doping measures - many investigative teams have sought to prove doping genes for many years.The medical committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) first became interested in the topic for the first time in 2001. Following that was the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2002, since 2003. Official gene doping is prohibited.Since then WADA has funded many studies to prove doping in genes, currently 25 international projects.

Genetic gene from syringe: Giving the gene into the body even though it can be done but the side effect is very dangerous.(Photo: DPA)

But this time, science is quicker than sportsmen is still suspicious.Researchers talk about doping genes not only when foreign DNA is introduced into the body, but also include effects on gene activity such as natural gene blocking measures (gene switching on or off) and measures. affects gene expression.The Technical University of Munich (Germany) has now released a list of 160 DNA sequences that doping athletes might be interested in - this list is getting longer and longer.

No direct evidence cannot be sanctioned

Proving that genes are introduced into the body is difficult."It is not impossible, because the DNA sequence is introduced differently than the natural one," Professor Mario Thevis said. While a natural gene also has segments that have no obvious function, the inserted DNA is often shortened to only functional areas - and this difference will appear under the eyes of the regulators. doping investigation. But this is still a problem: "These DNA are very unstable and we can only prove them for several hours until several days," Mr. Thevis sighed.

Therefore, doping investigators must rely on various " trumps ".Because natural processes in the body will be altered by gene doping, the researchers plan to measure the reactions that follow.For example, when the number of erythrocytes and the amount of iron contained inside it suddenly increases, it may be an allusion to doping genes.Going this roundabout means investigators must actually know the blood count of each athlete.

The left mouse has a moderate growth, the right mouse has a huge muscle because the myostatin gene has been suppressed.(Photo: Johns Hopkins University Baltimore)

And even in this case, they have not been able to identify the more red blood cells that are produced because of the high levels of exercise or doping genes."All are indirect proofs," said Mario Thevis. "In order to be able to punish, we have to give a direct proof, such as identifying a given gene."

Scientists also have difficulty in muscle doping, although they know the best doping point is myostatin.This protein normally limits muscle growth.The gene doping houses can not only suppress the myostatin gene itself, but also the receptor associated with this protein.So muscle will then grow almost uncontrollably.

It is much simpler if investigators are allowed to take muscle samples: IgF-I is a protein that promotes muscle and nerve growth.US researcher Lee Sweeney from the University of Pennsylvania genetically injects IgF-I directly into the muscle of mice.These muscles then swelled by 30% - pictures of "Schwarzenegger mice" were spread around the world.This procedure can be demonstrated in muscles but does not prove in the blood.Therefore, IgF-I is a perfect doping method because control personnel are not allowed to take tissue samples from muscles as soon as they are in doubt.Such a surgery is too big, painful and too risky.