Two WADA funded groups of scientists this week revealed a major breakthrough in developing a simple blood test for gene doping. Researchers at the University of Tübingen, Germany, and at the Universities of Florida, USA, and Nantes, France revealed that after more than four years of research and development they can now provide a reliable test which will be a huge step forward in the fight against doping in sport.
Gene doping is primarily in its infancy and although little is known as to the effects of such a method, it is already prohibited in sport. Samples can already be stored and used for retrospective testing. This new gene doping test will give a window of detection of up to two months after an athlete has used the illegal practice.
Speaking on the Science Daily website, Professor Perikles Simon, MD, PhD from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany explained, “For the first time, a direct method is now available that uses conventional blood samples to detect doping via gene transfer and is still effective if the actual doping took place up to 56 days before, this represents a relatively low-cost method of detecting several of the most common doping genes.”
“At the very least, the risk of being discovered months after the gene transfer has taken place should deter even the most daring dopers,” Simon told Science Daily.
A statement on the WADA website said, “Eventually, this work may lead to the development, validation, and manufacture of a kit for routine use by WADA/IOC to screen athletes for illicit gene doping-based performance enhancements.”
With ongoing efforts by WADA and it’s funding of effective research throughout the world, testing strategies are becoming more revolutionary and complex, which in turn makes an athlete’s choice to dope a more difficult one. This new test is very encouraging and gives authorities the tools to remain one step ahead of the athletes who choose to cheat.
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