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Genetically-Engineered Super-Athletes?

Posted by michael on from the mickey-mouse-olympics dept.

Karma 50 writes: "The BBC News is reporting that genetically modified "super-athletes" may be competing as soon as the 2012 Olympic games. A conference in London warns that gene therapies for diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis may be used by athletes to enhance performance. So far, this is undetectable. So we're not immediately facing the prospect of watching athletes bred especially for their performance but, with our desire to win at all costs, this too can't be far off."

3 of 308 comments (clear)

  1. what everyone wants to know is... by jason99si · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... how long until our planet is graced with Genetically-Engineered Super-Models?

  2. How can we tell for sure? by Dr_Cheeks · · Score: 4, Insightful
    As the article says, genetic advantages (like the skier with the high red blood cell count) can occur quite naturally as a result of mutation as well as being engineered into athletes.

    How can we be sure that genetic advantages are from cheating (i.e. artificially engineering the DNA to improve the athletic ability of a competitor), and not simply down to a lucky combination of gametes?

    --

  3. The problem with this is... by mESSDan · · Score: 5, Insightful
    What if I want to run as fast as Carl Lewis? Or lift as much as Magnus ver Magnusson? Or swim as well as Matt Biandi? What if I want to be able to do all three? Who are you to tell me I can't?
    Hmm, with today's gene therapy, you'd be lucky to be as fast as Magnus ver Magnusson, able to lift as much as Matt Biandi, and swim as well as Carl Lewis. Don't push it ;)
    --

    -- Dan