Gene Doping: The Undetectable Performance-Enhancing Drug?

Abstract

Several high profile athletes have incorporated performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) into their training regimen, and there is speculation that a fair number of professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes are engaging in these practices as well. With better technology, however, current doping methods are becoming easier to detect. Because of this, some athletes will soon be looking for other ways to become the best. This commentary reviews gene therapy in the form of doping with a focus on Erythropoietin (Epo), VEGF, and IGF-1. We also review the possible long-term effects including cancer, heart failure, and stroke and discuss the detectability of gene doping in the future.