January 2013 OCR A2 Exercise Physiology question 5(c)
5 (c)
Question:
What is meant by gene doping? Critically evaluate the use of gene doping as an ergogenic aid (6)
Answer:
Gene doping involves altering a person’s DNA. All performers can benefit from gene doping as it can increase both aerobic and anaerobic power of athletes.
Gene doping can increase aerobic performance by increasing the number of mitochondria and red blood cells of the athlete.
Gene doping can increase anaerobic performance by increasing the amino acids which will increase the muscle growth, giving the athlete more power.
Gene doping could have a potential negative effect on the health of the athlete due to the lack of control in the gene doping process.
Gene doping is presently illegal to use and has the moral issue of both cheating and whether it is ethical to change an athletes DNA. The long term side effects of gene doping are unknown, however it is a safer alternative than using anabolic steroids or HGH.
