Insulin and Genetically Modified Humans In Sport.

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Insulin and Genetically Modified Humans In Sport.

In august 1998 a law was passed so as the substance insulin was prohibited in Britain and could only be obtained by prescription due to its adverse effects on an athletes performance. The International Olympic Committee banned it. However the ban doesn’t apply to diabetic athletes who’s lives depend on this controversial drug. Dr Verroken commented on this and gave his professional opinion by stating “we shouldn’t say that diabetics are gaining an unfair advantage” (Source: www.newscientist.com “Athletes may be increasingly abusing insulin”). Because diabetics have a reduced insulin level in their body they need an insulin “top-up” so as their bodies are healthy and can function to their best ability and as they are meant to. So in theory diabetic athletes don’t gain an advantage as they have normal insulin amounts. But many athletes totally disagree with this. Their opinions are that athletes compete at their natural physical level. (source: Matthew McGovern)None insulin dependant athletes have adapted their bodies through hard work and determination over years so as they can naturally perform their best. If a none insulin dependant athlete was to be beaten in competitions their first response id that of the fact that the diabetic athlete has administered access insulin into their blood stream. They may think they are being morally cheated.

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Insulin works in diabetics in two main ways. In stamina athletes, such as body builders it works in co-ordination with anabolic steroids for instance human growth hormone or testosterone to consolidate muscle tissue. It works in such a way that the steroids actually initiate new muscle and the insulin then prevents it from being broken down. It can also sustain stamina in runners and track performers enabling their muscles to be loaded with glycogen. But to achieve this, athletes have to take glucose and insulin simultaneously for a few hours, therefore infusing them using a technique called hyperinsulinaemic clamp. With ...

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