Sports and Technology Genetics: The cloned Athlete

Citation:

Gongaki K. Sports and Technology Genetics: The cloned Athlete. Imeros. 2005;5(1):87-98.

Abstract:

The recent advances in biology and technology genetics have a great influence on the human being and further on the human-athlete, since the human cloning possibilities and the potentiality to create the conditions which will allow the blastocells production, actually leads to the creation of organic cells which contribute to the revival of the body- tissue. The international consideration that has already been developed for this matter is mainly concentrated on: a) whether or not such a scientific development consists of an interference in the biological human status and, b) whether or not such an action is morally acceptable. Those supporting the aforementioned procedures consider that the moral objections inhibit the development of important sectors of the latest technology which allows the improvement of the living conditions. On the other hand those criticizing these procedures claim that this scientific advance is actually an interference in the historical and natural continuity of the human being and further a clear moral offence to the human rights. Consequently, the development in biogenetics set up a new perception of the athlete as an individual and of sports as an anthropological phenomenon, since the role of the first is denied and the importance of the latter is downgraded. Considering that “athletics” is a phenomenon that brings together the individual with his/her nature, the genetic interference in the future athlete results in the contrary, i.e his/her withdrawal from his/her nature, while it degenerates the value of sports and weakens the importance of the sports spirit.