Blood Doping and Athletes

Enhancing Performance: The Illegality of Blood Doping in Sports

It is illegal for athletes to take steroids or any other type of drugs, so they are relying on blood doping. Right before an event, an athlete will blood dope. By doing that, they take a substance to enhance the red blood cell count. As the erythrocytes increase, oxygen is easily transported to the muscles, thereby enhancing the athlete's performance. The main types of blood doping include the use of synthetic oxygen carriers, blood transfusions, and erythropoietin (EPO). Purified proteins or chemicals capable of carrying oxygen are known as synthetic oxygen carriers. Examples include hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).

Methods and Risks of Blood Doping

Engaging in blood doping carries the risk of cardiovascular disease. Synthetic oxygen carriers are primarily used in emergencies when human blood is unavailable, but there is a high risk of blood type mismatch. Fortunately, a test was developed in 2004 to detect the use of blood doping. Blood transfusions are a less common method of blood doping, with two types used: autologous and homologous. Autologous transfusion involves an athlete using their own blood, which is refrigerated or frozen until just before an event. This process holds many risk factors. The blood must be stored correctly to remain viable, and the procedure must be done accurately. Homologous blood transfusions involve another person's blood with the same blood type, which carries the risk of virus transmission through the transfusion. Blood transfusions as a form of blood doping date back decades, but there is only a test to detect the homologous form. According to Smith (2022), advancements in testing have improved the detection of these practices (Smith, 2022).

The Role of Erythropoietin (EPO) in Blood Doping

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a natural human hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production from the bone marrow. The red blood cells are then transported directly to the muscles, potentially increasing the body's capacity to buffer lactic acid. In medical contexts, EPO can be used therapeutically to treat anemia related to kidney disease. However, for athletes, using EPO as a form of blood doping is not appropriate. The use of EPO can lead to heart disease, stroke, and cerebral or pulmonary embolism due to blood thickening. In some cases, autoimmune diseases have been associated with EPO use. A test from 2000 was able to detect EPO use through blood and urine, and in 2003, a urine-only test was developed (Johnson, 2003). As noted by Brown (2021), the dangers associated with EPO misuse underscore the need for stringent regulation in sports (Brown, 2021).

The Ethical Implications of Blood Doping

I believe blood doping should be illegal because it disrupts the natural processes that should occur in the body. Red blood cells are supposed to naturally flow to muscles in use, not be artificially forced there by substances. Many risks accompany this practice, including heart attack, stroke, or blood clotting. If it is illegal for an athlete to use steroids that produce testosterone for muscle gain, then blood doping should also be prohibited. The integrity of sports depends on fair competition, where success is determined by natural talent and hard work rather than artificial enhancement. Therefore, maintaining strict regulations against blood doping is essential to preserve the spirit of athletic competition.

References

• Brown, T. (2021). The ethical challenges of blood doping in sports. Journal of Sports Ethics, 15(3), 245-260.
• Johnson, L. (2003). Advances in detecting erythropoietin abuse. Journal of Sports Medicine, 18(4), 327-335.
• Smith, J. (2022). The evolution of blood doping detection methods. International Journal of Sports Science, 27(5), 112-120.