On the Playing Field: Might Anabolic Steroids Be Useful?
Labels: Ethics, Health & Science, Politics & Government, Sports, Technology
By Kim Moreland|Published Date: November 02, 2009

Dr. Norman Fost, a physician and bioethicist, is advocating that testing be done to see if steroids might not be has harmful as was once thought. Not being in the medical field, I nonetheless thought there was ample evidence supporting the harmful effects of anabolic steroids. Any thoughts?
 

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  1. Posted by jason taylor on 2009-11-02 22:47:28

    Atheletes try to enhance their performance within the rules. That is why we call it a "game." It is not a witch-hunt to demand that they follow the rules. If steroids are forbidden then obviously, using them is cheating. As for whether they can be "useful", almost anything can be "useful" for something.

  2. Posted by Steve (SBK) on 2009-11-02 14:56:33

    He does admit they have side effects: "Anabolic steroids do have undesirable side effects, such as acne, baldness, voice changes and usually transient infertility. But sport itself is far more dangerous and we don't prohibit it. The number of deaths from simply playing football is multiples of even the alleged deaths due to steroids." // It may be that they are more dangerous still, a side-effect being cancer/death, but, as he says, more study would need to be done. // I do think his 2nd point is somewhat valid. Equal access to some technology is a good thing. Here's the problem I see: If we allowed steroids, it would have to be controlled, and some people would still cheat on that. On top of that, are only 'professionals' (has amateur lost its meaning?) allowed access? Are we going to provide 4 billion children with steroids so everyone has equal access on the playing field? Definitely coaching, training, technology have effects on performance and these are distributed unevenly, and I don't think that's a bad thing (at least, the first 2). // His 4th point that fan interest declines is empirically false, is, I think a little naive. Rumors of steroid use are not proof. People will trust and hope even past where there is no hope. They want heroes, but they want to believe the heroes are noble. At least, I do. // Just some thoughts.

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