In 2007, WADA said it would provide $6.6 million in funding for 40 research proposals. Among them are projects to study new anabolic steroids, examine human growth hormones and methods to detect them, and identify and detect drugs that boost blood oxygen levels.Also receiving WADA funding is research into expected new forms of cheating through gene-transfer techniques, which involve injecting genetic material to make an athlete stronger or faster. Among the so-called gene-doping techniques anticipated in the future are the use of plasmid vectors or RNA interference to regulate gene expression.

One WADA-funded project, for instance, is looking at the development of a kit that would detect plasmid gene-transfer vector sequences in blood to ferret out genetically modified athletes. Another project is looking at the potential use of short interfering RNA molecules to artificially shut off the body’s production of myostatin. Because myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, the lack of it could enhance human muscular development. Researchers will look to develop urine and blood tests to detect myostatin-targeted molecules.

WADA and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) feel that all of the following will be critical requirements for anti-doping agencies in the future.

• detection of plasmid gene-transfer sequences in blood
• detection of short interfering molecules suppressing myostatin in urine and/or blood tests
• creation of bioinformatics facility to detect changes in the proteins of athletes’ genes and tissues
• development of biomarkers to test for human growth hormone (hGH)
• improvements in GC and other analysis techniques
• development of improved tests for blood transfusions between individuals.

We expect bodybuilders to be the first athletes to experiment with “plasmid vectors” and “RNA interference.” Since recreational (and even competitive bodybuilders) have historically not been subjected to any meaningful drug testing, they have been free to experiment with any and all performance enhancing drugs that increase muscle mass and reduce bodyfat. As a result, bodybuilders have always been the first to experiment with new PEDs that are subsequently used by competitive and elite athletes. We expect this trend to continue with new pharmaceuticals and gene transfer techniques.