Drug Usage in Sport - Essay Example

EPO and Sports Outline of the Paper: I. Introduction II. EPO and Sports a. The Science of EPO b. EPO Doping c. EPO-abuse Consequences d. Detection and Anti-doping Strategies III. Conclusion Abstract Sports now go beyond just playing some games. Huge financial awards are now associated with the different kinds of sports, and this became an overwhelming desire of athletes to not just play hard but play to win. Resorting to performance enhancing drugs to the dismay of the society is now prevalent. What is crucial about this endemic is that this temporary means of upping an athlete’s chances of winning bring along with it horrendous consequences that far outweigh its advantages. This paper talks about EPO and its role on cyclists’ performance, its potential terrible health side effects as well as the various anti-doping strategies sports monitoring agencies come up with. The paper would also briefly show the picture of what this type of behavior could do in the long run for the sports world as well as on the actions of younger generations. Introduction Any state taking part in the Olympics would be familiar with this: ``The important thing in the games is not winning but taking part. the essential thing is not conquering, but fighting well, since this is the creed of the said event (Baron, 54). But could it still be reconciled with the reality of the modern sports world? Sports now after all is not just playing some game, one could discern that it is really more than that. Thats why sports get a separate section in every major daily newspaper, stadiums are filled along with arenas around the world regularly with fans rooting and screaming their lungs out for someone or some group, they receive massive funds from schools and they occupy hours of commercial TV and radio air time (Washigton, 188). This kind of situation leads to a reward system wherein incentives are given not to a job well done or a battle well fought but to winning. Athletes and their coaches know that. Largely, as it could be associated from the above described sports world, this is because winning today do not just give you a shining image (if only they could be satisfied with that), but in this time and age, it is absolutely associated with unbelievably huge amount of money. Winning open the doors for athletes as well as the coaches to multimillion dollar contracts, appearance fees, and various international endorsements and exposures. Something nobody except for a few rare souls, could reject. However, the issue is not even about the abnormal financial gains these performers could acquire when they succeed, but what this drive to excel lead them to do. A conspicuous issue that arises from such situation is the use of performance enhancers in Olympic and professional sports events. Or to put it bluntly, the issue of abusing drugs or ``doping in order to have a body that is more than equipped than usual and attain the goal of winning at all costs (Baron, 54). Certainly this issue is not new, but it is still bewildering. The idea that your idols are hoax is even more so. Yet, that is what cheating-through-drug abuse athletes are, and more of them are out there. Enhancing ones athletic performance can be attained through the normal way or `the right way - strict diets, rigorous trainings, and prayers if the situation warrant. But, it can be achieved through the quick way, or the ``secret way- doping techniques, techniques that are more or less fool-proofed to guide one into winning unless caught. Doping techniques exist in myriad forms, they go a long way back and they are used by athletes worldwide. Although we have informal mechanisms such as herbs and plants that serve as drugs or sort of doping tools that were being used centuries ago, the world become deeply aware of the extent and benefits of using these doping techniques in the 1988 Seoul Olympics when the gold medalist, Ben Johnsons title was invalidated and the medal confiscated for using steroid stanazalol. The thing is, even if he was caught (for there were rules already established then about certain substances being prohibited by the International Olympic Committee), his winning the gold medal actually proved clearly that doping could bring one to win gold medals or first places. Through the 80s and the 90s, large scale doping techniques spread from sport to sport, with the help of several pharmacists and medicine professionals, that in 1999, when massive amounts of performance enhancing drugs were discovered at the 1988 Tour de France, the IOC had to organize a World Conference on Doping in Sport where it established the World Anti-Doping Agency to work independently in fighting against doping in sport. But even with such institution in place, doping incidents continue to prevail during professional sport events and are still almost always linked with high profile athletes (Baron, 55). Although they are the most easily detected performance-enhancer drugs, doping substances is not of course limited to steroids. In fact, there are hundreds of these, different labels and different names, but all similarly abused for the purpose of winning. WADA had already come up with a list of these prohibited substances and methods. Briefly, these are categorized accordingly: anabolic agents such as steroids. hormone-related substance such as Erythropoietin. “masking agents such as plasma expanders” . stimulants like amphetamines. narcotics like morphine. cannabinoids like marijuana. and diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide (Baron, 56). Steroids, the most common anabolic agent could be sourced easily, from doctors, trainers, friends, the black market and foreign suppliers. Hormone-related drugs like EPO are naturally occurring hormones so they are extracted from the body (Baron, 57). After having a broad picture of why athletes are tempted to use doping substances which is just generally in order to win, the idea would probably be clearer if this paper would decide to focus on one substance and understand the implications of choosing and taking that kind of drug. Since steroids are the more popular ones, it would be nice to delve into Erythropoietin instead, another doping substance categorized as a hormone-related substance mostly used by cyclists. Erythropoietin (EPO) and Sports The Science of EPO ”The production of new red blood cells in the bone marrow, a process called Erythropoiesis, is stimulated by naturally occurring hormone Erythropoietin produced by the kidney in response to low circulating oxygen levels or tissue hypoxia” (Baron, 57). Erythropoiesis works against the permanent destruction by microphages in the bone marrow, spleen and liver of the aged red blood cells. Anemic persons suffer from tissue hypoxia - the condition that mainly spurs the production of EPO, so that in cases of severe anemia, while the normal level of EPO is only 15 international units per liter, the EPO levels in plasma may rise to 10,000 international units. For a person with intact kidneys, this increase in EPO production resulting from a decrease in blood hemoglobin concentration will hold true. However, as EPO is a hormone produced by the kidney, people suffering from renal failure would not have this kind of reaction even if they lose blood hemoglobin concentration (Jelkmann, 12). The level of EPO in our body is significant. Overproduction of EPO occurring as a response to hypoxia would inexorably result to secondary erythrocytosis, increasing the risk to acquire myocardial infarction and stroke. On the other hand, inadequate EPO production with chronic renal failure is the principal cause of anemia. Even without kidney malfunction, diseases such as chronic inflammation, malignancy and AIDS would make lack of EPO a cause of having anemia (Jelkmann, 17). Anemic persons suffer from tissue hypoxia. Under severe cases, they would require transfusion of red blood cells from donors. But, to undergo such transfusion may cause immunologic reactions and infections. Moreover, the risk of iron overload from undertaking such therapy exists. Imagine having these complications added to an anemic persons worries and problems! Fortunately, a recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) became available to fight anemia when the naturally occurring EPO was extracted from human urine simultaneous with the development of recombinant DNA technology. A drug called Epogen was released in 1989. It is a treatment for patients suffering from chromic renal failure or a cure for anemia associated with AIDS, cancer and other non-renal diseases as well. RHu-EPO raises blood hemoglobin concentration in a dose-dependent way. With it, there would be no need to go through risky red blood cell transfusions anymore (Baron, 55). EPO doping In sports that require lasting endurance like running and cycling, having sufficient supply of oxygen delivered to the tissues is imperative. In order to achieve this, the recombinant human erythropoietin designed to fight tissue hypoxia suffered by an anemic was then used a tool to enhance their performance by the athletes. The stimulation of Erythropoiesis by EPO makes this drug popular among sportspeople because of its ability to heighten ones aerobic power. Taking erythropoietin boosts the bodys count of red blood cells, the blood ability to transport oxygen to the muscles improves and therefore athletes will now have the longer endurance they need for sports like cycling (Lasne, 635). It was believed that this type of usage started as soon as they realized it could replace the older, complex way of blood doping, where athletes donated their own blood months before a competition, stored them for the meantime and transfused them back to their own body before competing (Baron, 57). However the less complex for athletes, using EPO drugs for competing (and for winning) makes it cheating and unethical. This is not only because they win not on their own strength but because it undermines a lot of things or the whole competition for that matter. First of all, it creates uncertainty about the fitness of the athletes, whether they really are qualified to be in their positions. Then, it could negatively affect the people idolizing these supposed-to-be role models such that similar behaviors could be taken up by impressionists. Ultimately, its the question of illegal behavior and whether it should be tolerated (Fost, 8). The International Committee of course knows about it and had already ban this misuse of an incredible drug breakthrough. Yet, detection is not that easy, because although it could be proven that erythropoiesis had been stimulated, the administration of rHu-EPO drug can not be confirmed (Lasne, 635). This genetically engineered form of EPO can not be distinguished from the naturally occurring hormone in the body. blood testing therefore wont do anything for the determination of doping by an athlete (Science and Soceity, 928). A competing cyclist, before attempting to cheat this way would know that, and it suits him just fine. Serious regulatory efforts are put to stop this though, it is quite obvious from all the sanctions and punishments an athlete gets (would get) when they get caught. Current regulations call for a minimum two year suspension and heavy fines for guilty athletes. (Bahr, 330)But, the incentives to dope clearly outweigh these punishments if several athletes are willing to risk it. It will not far out as well to think that there is something wrong with human autonomy that they would freely choose to do something that would compromise their future and well-being (Kayser). Also, it could be counted as a common pool resource problem, wherein if all cyclists aim to win as most professionals do, each one of them would decide to dope without caring if the others will do so as well. Not doping alone while everyone did is much more antagonizing that if all of them doped even though if that is the case, they all become equal so the result would be no different to the result if none of them doped (Bird, 751). The Olympics and other professional sports events is a highly intense, highly competitive venture, and immense pressure to seek a competitive advantage is almost overwhelming that an athlete wont allow the possibility of others having something that would put them ahead of him without trying to find the same, or greater in order to level the playing field in his mind. The alternative will be leaving the competition, which no professional would ever think of. When an edge could be just fractions of inches, pounds or seconds, and that fraction would be the difference between losing and winning, rejecting something that would give just that albeit potential serious consequences is more than difficult. Freedom to choose whether one would succumb to the temptation or be coerced is of course there. But although nobody is holding a gun at their heads, individual choice in the matter diminished completely in the face of such dilemma (Murray, 29). EPO-abuse Consequences The urge to attain victory compels athletes as well as their coaches to disregard the many health problems associated with these doping substances. The thing is, serious health consequences and financial consequences are frighteningly real especially to healthy people. These EPO drugs do not come in cheap and getting caught just risk their image as well as their jobs. This recombinant human erythropoietin is given for the purpose of correcting the anemia in end stage renal failures so that no more risks like infection associated with transfusion can transpire. But various studies showed that adverse effects like hypertension, flu-like symptoms, seizures and clotted vascular accesses could emerge. Well then, if people with completely valid reason for using this drug could suffer that, what more could a completely healthy individual suffer when doses of this drug is injected in his body (Canadian Erythropoietin Study Group, 2)? “Seriously, EPO injected in abnormal doses could cause blood thickening, deep vein, coronary and cerebral thromboses, stroke and eventually death (Bird, 751). EPO actually is one of the most deadly doping agents, counting 20 European cyclists that have died because of it” (Baron, 57). Unfortunately, lack of knowledge and misconceptions about these drugs are prevalent among the athletes which further clouds their judgment to use and abuse such treatment. Athletes are often too focused on the competition forthcoming that just personal recommendation of certain substances that could help them is already enough for them, and they dont try to get more reliable information anymore (Petroczi, 2). EPO may give cyclists an edge over their competition on a race day, but hazardous potential side effects exists that would make winning a stupid goal. Detection and Anti-Doping Policies When it had been said that detection is not easy, it had not meant that there are no strategies for doing so. “The World Anti Doping Agency works hard on this” (Trout, 2). Since its inception, athletes in several sports are compelled to inform authorities of their daily activities and whereabouts so that even without prior notice, they could be asked to urinate for a sample collection. This is done in full view of another person. Drug testing acts as the key deterrent for athletes thinking of cheating. These tests comprise three aspects: sensitivity to catch the cheats, cost effectiveness and certainty that they catch no innocent athletes (Dawson). In analyzing samples, laboratories play no part in the process for the maintenance of athlete anonymity. Strict handling of samples could be observed. (Trout, 2). For most drugs, urine is the best choice for a sample versus blood, saliva and even hair. The collection of urine is non-invasive, available volume is rather large and concentration of drugs is higher in this substance. A sophisticated anti-doping test had also been formulated in 2000, in which both urine and blood sample were involved. No one was found doping using this test and critics claimed that this is just because the technology used was new and not because no athletes were doping. Recently, more methods like the detection of EPO in EBC or Exhaled Breath Condensate is formulated, the idea is new and has not become a permanent tool of the anti-doping policy yet. But, tests had been administered and results showed that EPO could be detected in EBC. Using a condenser, non-invasive collection of nongaseous components of the expiratory air is made. Subjects were to breathe through a mouthpiece and a 2-way nonrebreathing valve. Obtained condensates were stored in -80 degrees Celsius. A multiplex chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to detect EPO (Schumann, 2). Technically, theyre just science and the important thing is that more ways of detecting EPO is coming out to possibly eradicate this problem completely. Heres a thought, why make doping illegal and disallow athletes to do it when they will be doing it at their own risk? Because, society wont like it, and surprisingly, neither do athletes. Being athletes mean that they believe what the sport is all about and have faith in themselves, its a valid assumption to make that all athletes want to succeed using their own natural capabilities (Science and Society, 929). All of them doping would destroy the fundamentals of the sport they love as well as the reason for playing and competing. EPO used in sports, as well as those other performance-enhancing substances are highly controversial not only because it wrecks havoc in the sports world and everything it stands for, but because they are abused by supposedly role models and they are now spreading into schools and health clubs worldwide. Young people who see daily reports or contentious issues about their idols using these drugs in the newspapers become susceptible to such behavior as well. Thats why educational programs devised for these at-risk populations are very important. Impressionists become tempted to use it to achieve the media-induced `perfect figures, when in reality, their overall health is sacrificed. Early detection for intervention or prevention by the means of drug testing in high schools becomes crucial (Baron, 58). Conclusion What could be more delusionary than knowing your idols, even not in sports, are completely fakes? When you have been there for them, cheering and crying, there they are, slowly but surely wrecking their own lives. When you have completely believed in their strength and their values, there they are, doubting and lowering themselves. When you have learned to be passionate for something because you know loving something could take you to heights you would not imagine, like your role models, and then there they are, destroying fundamentally the things theyre supposed to be respecting and loving, and ultimately defeating themselves. 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