Genetic doping will soon be detectable, warns Rogge

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2005

STOCKHOLM (AFP) — Genetic doping will soon be detectable, IOC president Jacques Rogge said during a conference of anti-doping experts here.

Genetic doping is used by athletes trying to hide illegal use of performance-enhancing substances.

The use of substances such as the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoeitin) has bedevilled both amateur and professional endurance sports but there has been an increasingly effective anti-doping crackdown.

There are concerns that athletes could now consider bypassing injections of the banned drug -- which is detectable in urine -- for possible injections of the gene encoding the stimulant factor.

"Detection will be possible in the future," Rogge warned after attending the second working day of the World Anti-Doping...