German report warns of gene doping in China

by kferaday | July 24, 2008 at 08:38 am | 329 views | 6 comments

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There's every reason to be suspicious of the Chinese. They are the largest producer and supplier of doping products in the world. While there is some evidence that the Chinese Olympic Committee is cracking down on dopers (with 8 positives so far this year), China's desire to win is at as much a political goal as a sporting one. John Leonard, head of the American Swimming Coaches Association recently made similar suggestions, claiming that 50 top Chinese swimmers had been placed in a secret training program.

While WADA has rightly expressed shock and dismay over this devleopment, it remains to be seen how it can or will respond.

A German television report on the availability of gene doping in China has stunned anti-doping experts shortly before the Beijing Olympics.

In a documentary by ARD television, a Chinese doctor offers stem-cell therapy to a reporter posing as an American swimming coach.

The report, filmed with a concealed camera, shows the doctor with his face blurred speaking in Chinese and offering the treatment in return for US$24,000, according to a translation provided by the ARD television.

The documentary broadcast Monday did not offer evidence that the hospital had provided gene doping to other athletes, but anti-doping officials were appalled that the treatment was so readily available.

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Barbara McPherson

at 10:12 on July 24th, 2008

good stuff:

kferaday, I like this story. It's good stuff. Boy, we get good news re: EPO detection and now this. This is very bad for sports.

Heiky

at 10:54 on July 24th, 2008

good stuff:

kferaday, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Gene doping? That's unheard of.

azzayindia

at 10:56 on July 24th, 2008

good stuff:

kferaday, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Caoimhin1

at 12:08 on July 24th, 2008

good stuff:

kferaday, I like this story. It's good stuff.

René

at 12:51 on July 24th, 2008

Gene-doping? What does it do?

CL (not verified)

at 15:01 on August 1st, 2008

The German report ignored many facts:

- Stem cell therapy does not alter anyone’s gene
- The only type of gene therapy associated with doping is Repoxygen, but that’s not being offered
- Stem cell’s efficacy remains unproven, there’s even less evidence of performance enhancement

Last April ABC had a “Sports Medicine Miracle” story about stem cell therapy by Dr. Rick Matsen. For some reason the same thing in China is called “doping”.