ISLAMABAD, June 13: Participants in the third Gene Doping Symposium organised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) with support from the Russian sport authorities have called for greater interaction among the sports community, professional scientific organisations, licensing agencies and clinical research oversight bodies in order to stimulate awareness of the potential illicit use of gene transfer techniques for athletic and other enhancement purposes.

WADA also called for developing appropriate sanction mechanisms for illegal or unethical application of gene transfer in sport, following a two-day meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia, according to a dispatch made available here.

The meeting was the third of its kind sponsored by WADA following in the line of those held in 2002 in New York and in 2005 in Stockholm.

The Saint Petersburg symposium attracted more than 60 participants from 16 countries and included experts in gene transfer, scientists from the field of anti-doping, representatives from sports and public authorities, and ethicists.

“Most experts do not think that gene transfer is being misused by athletes yet.

“But we know there is a growing level of interest in the sports world in the potential for gene doping, and that scientists working on potential genetic cures for muscle diseases or blood disorders are being approached by sports figures to inquire about the use of genes to enhance performance,” said WADA Vice President Prof Arne Ljungqvist.—APP