Anabolic Steroids: Got Small Balls?

The movie we watched today in class over anabolic steroids was interesting in all the findings they included. Such as 85% of steroid users mainly use for informal recreation and cosmetics rather than the 15% of athletes who use. I thought it would have been the opposite because of all the media that places places athletes in the spotlight and make a huge ordeal out of their steroid use. Barry Bonds, sets the record for home runs at 73 and it is pretty evident in his body structure when compared to other baseball players that he would be taking something other than the normal supplements. 

It's really sad how our nation looks up to drug users. The Bell brothers grew up loving Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stalone and Arnold Schwarzenegger and although they were young and naive they were amazed at how strong and powerful they were. Captain America and other various comic characters are becoming more and more in shape. And it seems as if the mass media encourages for people to be "fit"and that it's the "norm" to have a six pack by endorsing advertisements for crap products such as Hydroxycut and other various substances. 

The movie talked about what the new goal is for athletics, which is gene doping or genetic alteration to allow people to become faster and stronger. There have been a couple of images here and there in the media where they showed the effects of altering the genes in rats, such as the one seen in class. The movie also talked about how the cow was born with a genetic defect that made it grow with only pure muscle. In human form, we have a kid known as "Little Hercules" who was able to begin training at age TWO!!

It's actually scary how people are willing to go as far as changing their genes solely for career gains. There is bound to be some kind of repercussion for changing the way people are born naturally. In discussion, Scott asked whether or not its okay to choose the gene traits we give to our children. And that genetic research must be done so that genetic diseases can be prevented while the baby is still in the womb. This all makes sense to me, but I know that there are always going to have set rules that are going to be broken and that the next person will always try to push limits. They say that they are going to be able to prevent muscle dystrophy, but then they will just take the research that has already been accomplished and tweak it just a little to allow for more muscle growth. All in all, the whole idea of genetic alteration is scary, but in order to prevent people a lifetime of pain there must be research done to prevent it, and I guess it's just inevitable that people will use that power for their gain.