You Look Mighty Fine in Them Genes
Though official reports don't agree, we gather that Washington state is sending at least nine to ten athletes to the winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. The majority are competing in skiing events, along with two skaters, one hockey player, and a bobsledder. Ceremonies, running with flaming objects, and non-stop news coverage are all set to commence this Friday, February 10. In the media run-up to opening day, "we're desperate for a popular culture article" magazine The Scientist has paused to ask: Just what is in those olympic athletes' genes?
Prevailing opinion backs the concern that it is when, not if, athletes will start employing new methods of "gene" doping: a form of performance enhancement that uses gene therapy-based drugs to boost oxygen transfer and build muscle mass, while being far trickier to detect than traditional blood-doping methods. According to Theodore Friedmann, head of the gene doping panel for the World Anti-Doping Agency, "The technology is getting to the point that someone is going to do something silly." What, technology enabling people to do silly things? Never!
Seattlest has to ask, however, is there a more insidious conspiracy afoot? Look at what MSNBC is purportedly selling on their page listing WA athletes going to Torino. Suspicious, no? Pssst...Washington athletes, how about some "jeans?" Wink, wink.
