Abstract
Controversy surrounds the decision of use of performance enhancing drugs in sports and its legalization. There are many ethical and biological issues involved. But the most important aspect is the chemical composition and the validity of use of such drugs by all individuals. Following is a presentation on why use of performance enhancing drugs is still invalid and why it should not be legalized.
Introduction
Performance enhancing drugs are debatably the most controversial topics of discussion in the sports world. This presentation discusses why performance enhancing chemicals should not be used in sports.
Discussion
- Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) are primarily steroids, organic chemicals that have hormonal effects on the human body (Smith, 2012).
- These chemicals have rapid and drastic effects on the human body, which includes increased stamina, increased body-mass index etc. (Smith, 2012).
- Hormones are primarily ketone active organic compounds used by the glands of the body to communicate and actuate and control certain biological processes for the growth and development of the human body
- There are both chemical, biological, ethical and psychological implications of validating the use of performance enhancing steroids
- Performance enhancement drugs form a large chemical industry today and are used, even recommended by, many sports athletes. Chemistry scholars debate the production and use of such chemicals and the majority always supports the removal of use of such chemicals (Scott, 2008).
- These chemicals are present in rare quantities in the body and synthesized according to need. Supplying them in excess has effects that can hamper the normal functioning of the body entirely.
- Popular performance enhancing drugs include chemicals like ephedra and creatine, which have many comprehendible effects on the body
- Creatine for example, increases the body mass index drastically. It however, demands a drastic increase in intake of water.
- These drugs may seem to work perfectly for healthy human beings but there effect is much adverse in case of young individuals especially teenagers.
- Sports persons who play for colleges wish to get a competitive edge over others to qualify for a career in sports and end up using these drugs to boost their performance to facilitate selection and entry into sports teams and leagues.
- The drastic effect that these have on such young individuals is that it damages vital organ functioning in the body. Introduction of chemicals into the body that the body is yet not ready to handle has strong repercussions.
- Many teenagers have been known to have reported kidney damage due to the use of such drugs to increase their competitive capabilities in sports (Scott, 2008).
- Not only this, these drugs are habit forming and hence may continue to have adverse effects even after the drug use has been stopped.
- There is a general view point where everyone disagrees to use such drugs in the sports.
- The argument put forward is that sports is for entertainment and there is no need for supernatural sportsmen because sports has existed without them for many years and should remain as sports instead of wars of the physical (Scott, 2008)
- Surprisingly, there are organizations that support the use of such drugs for increase in performance and up the popularity of sporting events (Smith, 2012).
- These organizations argue that legalizing and channelizing sports performance enhancement drugs would help athletes and other sportsmen to perform better and ease regulatory organizations from spending extensive efforts on testing sports persons for using drugs (Smith, 2012).
- However, the fact remains that allowing the usage of such chemicals would only legitimize there use by individuals in the past, who performed at par with naturally trained athletes. It is indeed a question of ethics related to chemical engineering and sportsmanship (Scott, 2008)
Conclusion
What remains to be seen is the weighing of the points for and against the use of such drugs as performance enhancing hormones in sports and athletics. One must not forget that sports may be a career, but a career built on unnatural means does not yield good results. Mishaps happen in every sports, but to intentionally invite one is not exactly the right move.
References
Scott, M. (2008). The Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports. Delta Winds: A Magazine of Student Essays. San Joaquin Delta College. Retrieved from http://www.deltacollege.edu/org/deltawinds/DWOnline08/theuseofperformance.html
Smith, C. (2012). Why It’s Time To Legalize Steroids In Professional Sports. Forbes.com LLC. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2012/08/24/why-its-time-to-legalize-steroids-in-professional-sports/
