Just do it?
Since Ken Caminiti's passing, steroid use in sports has once again been brought to the attention of the public. I've been thinking this over, and argued with some people online. My stance is probably a minority of minority. Here it is.There are two issues. One, the harmful side-effects of steroid use today. Two, the disruption of competitive balance in fair competition. I think steroid is wrong for healthy athletes solely because of the harm it does. This is purely based on my compassion for any human being, whether they are gifted professional athletes or feeble grandmas. Some disregard this issue as "personal responsibility" or "calculated tradeoff," but instead express concern that medical enhancement taints the integrity of the sports, and maks performance and records in sports less a human advancement but a medical shortcut. I, on the other hand, think this is naive. My position is essentially: "if you show me drugs or any other medical treatment that enhances human ability yet lacks harmful side-effects, then I'm all for it."
Side effects aside, what would be the difference between steroids and any other medical surgery that restores the athlete's body and extends his career? Pitcher Kerry Wood torn his elbow tendon when he was 22. Since then he has underwent "Tommy John" surgery which replaces the damage tendon, and is now pitching just as well as before the surgery. If he goes on to break the career records of Nolan Ryan, who pitched into his 40's, would anyone consider the new records tainted because of the medical advancement?
As with any medical treatment, there are side effects and risks. I believe advances in medicine and technology can, do, and will, influence the world of sports, and the responsibility lies with the proper education of all parties involved about those risks and side effect, not in arbitrarily denying certain things because some feel its morally or ethically wrong.
posted by hedgehog @ 6:37 PM
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