Ethical issues and doping in Olimpic and Paralympic Games

Abstract

The diffusion of doping is caused by psychological and social dynamics. If the guys believe that the capacity is not related to commitment, then they are more exposed to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. There are three categories of reasons that induce athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs too: causes psychological and emotional, social and psycho-physiological. Moreover, in literature you can read other reasons that push people to take drugs: the “effect of formulation”, the “principle of utility”, the “heuristics of the accessibility” and the “representativeness heuristic”. Doping exists not only in professional sport but also affects amateur athletes. It poses a threat to sport worldwide. To use substances or resort to methods that may artificially alter the capabilities is ethically and legally wrong. The main ethical issues related to gene doping are also found in their detection that involves tissue sampling. There is a risk for the future generations, too. Moreover, the modification of DNA could lead to the creation of new and unknown viruses. Another problem related to ethical is the use of the prosthesis by disabled athletes. Also, in the case of “boosting” the athletes don’t taking performance-enhancing drugs, they don’t commit any offence, so this practise is not prohibited by WADA. Furthermore, the use of implants, the “technodoping”, and their additional benefit, is another ethical issue. The focal point shouldn't be an athlete's disability, or the technical support they get, but their talent and their willpower. Also, various arguments are spreading in support of liberalization of doping. Some are based on the circumstances that currently the values of equality and health are not protected and, therefore, the liberalization of doping doesn’t result in a change in the current situation. Indeed, according to others, the attitude prohibitionist involves the search for substances and methods of administration increasingly dangerous such that the liberalization entails a greater control and a greater spread of "safe" substances.

Key words:

ethics, doping, disabled athletes, gene doping