Worth a Read - Sports, Genetics, and Doping

[The Ref]

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2013/09/09/130909crat_atlarge_gladwell

It's long, but a provocative take on the super athlete, genetics, and doping. And even surgery. Never thought about the benefit of Tommy John's bionic arm which artificially allowed him to pitch until age 46 compared to doping to improve red blood cell count. Is there really a difference? Why?

[Riccardo]

nothing new there

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critic...large_gladwell

It's long, but a provocative take on the super athlete, genetics, and doping. And even surgery. Never thought about the benefit of Tommy John's bionic arm which artificially allowed him to pitch until age 46 compared to doping to improve red blood cell count. Is there really a difference? Why?

The biggest question for me is why do you allow someone to compete that has a genetic mutation that results in higher red blood cell counts and more oxygen capacity but not those that accomplish the same thing artificially? The next obvious step is genetic engineering.

[IronEagle]

The biggest question for me is why do you allow someone to compete that has a genetic mutation that results in higher red blood cell counts and more oxygen capacity but not those that accomplish the same thing artificially? The next obvious step is genetic engineering.

Lets go straight to the robots.

[Drama Queen]

Tommy John surgery is necessary to allow an athlete to continue to play.... not so much something that will make him improve a fast ball or curve.

Good read on red blood cells and iodine, BTW.

[PackWest]

Not sure if biological socialism is even possible; maybe we just have to accept that some people are better at some skills than others.

Kenyans are great marathoners, Finns excel at cross country skiing and people from WI can eat a thousand brats and live to tell the story