{Genetically Engineering Athletes???}

Myostatin deficient cow

 I cannot believe that we are getting to the point in technology where we can alter a person to have the exact traits that we want as described in the article from SportsIllustrated.com titled, “Steroids in America: The Future” by David Epstein.  While I do think that genetic engineering can be very useful for curing diseasing and improving health conditions, I do not think it should be used beyond that. I think by tampering with genetics too much, we are almost “playing God” and it is not ethically right to change the cards we were dealt. We were created the way we are for a reason, and trying to have too much control over that is unhealthy.

If we all got to choose exactly what traits we wanted to possess, what real value would natural ability have anymore? We could not watch a sporting event without questioning the integrity of the genetics of the players. How weird is that?

If sports do ban genetically altered players from participating, they would have to make sure to have no exceptions to make it fair for all players, even if they did not have the genetic changes for athletic reasons. This may seem harsh, but it would be the only way to level the playing field and keep the integrity of sports.

{Thoughts on "Bigger, Faster, Stronger"}

Today in KIN 347 we watched a documentary called, "Bigger, Faster, Stronger" that was about steroid use and other forms of performance enhancement.  The movie examined the American population's views on anabolic steroids and underlined that there is a lot of inconsistency in beliefs when it comes to cheating in sports with steroids. I thought that is was very interesting that there was not much scientific evidence to prove that steroid use was permanently harmful to an individual's health. Growing up in public schools, we were always taught how dangerous drugs were to our bodies and that we should completely avoid them all together. I think the bigger problem with performance enhancing steroid use is that it is altering the body more than just training hard and eating the correct diet can do, and therefore is giving the users an unfair advantage on the playing field.  Steroid use among professional athletes is teaching the children of America that it's okay to compromise your integrity to get ahead in whatever you are passionate about. I think that the entire sporting community needs to rethink their values in sport and decide if the false pride of winning is really more important than honorable good work.

{Steroids in America...}

After reading articles including, “Steroids in America: The Real Dope,” and listening to discussions in class, some of my views on steroids have been challenged and even altered. Before this class I believed that steroids caused the body to be unnatural in the way it altered muscles and hormone levels, but after some consideration, I realized that there are many other substances that could fall into this category.  Many athletes drink protein drinks, and most people take some sort of supplement or drug throughout some point in the day, and all these things also alter the way our body works.

Even though the “unnatural” argument is not very substantial, I still believe that steroids should not be used in sports and they are hurting they way we view success in America.  The use of steroids in professional athletes not only encourages kids to use drugs to get ahead just like their favorite sports heroes, but it encourages Americans to value winning over honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship. 

Stopping this problem would not only benefit the physical health of Americans, but would also help get America back on track to getting its priorities in line and valuing lasting truths rather than superficial achievements.