World Pro-Doping Agency
Posted by Andy Miah on April 11, 2006
I happen to think that I have a relatively moderate view about performance enhancement in sport. My initial position is that the doping dilemma is a genuine ethical issue – one which lends itself to no clear resolution, because there are essentially contested concepts at stake. To this extent, I sympathise with many people involved within the anti-doping movement. I listen to their views, I take on board what they say.
To this extent, I also do not shout too loud about the value of a pro-doping stance, even though I am characterised predominantly as advocating this view. For one thing, the doping issue is deeply political and, if one aims to do good philosophy, then taking this into account is critical. Debates surrounding any technological, regulatory issue must engage with the practical ethical problems they present. However, at times, I wonder whether I should be more radical and unforgiving about the case to be made on behalf of doping.
Yet another 'pro-doping' op ed piece passed across my desk today and it has provoked me to consider whether there should be some form of organisation of these disparate views. Perhaps we need to get all the 'pro-doping' views/people together to bring about some form of structured intervention. However, if I do this, I worry that this might compromise my integity by clearly aligning myself with one particular kind of conclusion when, as I say, this issue is more complex.
So, my proposal is to establish a World Pro-Doping Agency as a thought experiment. I wonder how many people would sign up. My first task will be to assemble all papers, people and institutions that have raised questions about the anti-doping movement. However, the end goal is one that seeks to present constructive proposals to the difficult problem of doping in sport. (Watch out for publications of mine using this title.)
CJG said
I would, subject to certain stipulations: predominantly, that this is a loose affiliation of people who regard certain orthodox assumptions in this area to be questionable & unhelpful, and who are coming together to explore imaginative alternatives. As you say, it should not be our remit to prejudge or over-simplify this area, but rather, to challenge comfortable (and sometimes rather pious) presuppositions.
Talmon Firestone said
Wow, you posted the question of how many people would sign up in support of a World Pro-Doping Agency and now almost 5 months later, I’m the first to say I would not only support it, I’d love to be involved in the implementation of such a thought experiment. My professional field is in emerging technology commercialization and in specific, nuclear fusion. Socondarily, I am always supporting and looking for opportunities in the entrepreneurial commercialization of space. That being the case, I do not fear a compromize in my integrity within the bio-ethics or transhuman community because I don’t align myself professionally to either one.
I believe in a pro-doping perspective because I believe in the freedom to pursue a posthuman existance. It’s true that there are ethical considerations regarding doping from a competitive sport perspective, but what about for simple personal enhancement? What ehtical dilema does that pose? One that stands out to annoy me the most is that the “wealthy” would have the easiest access to enhancing technologies and thus provide themselves with an ever increasing ability to maintain and grow their wealth and power over those who do not have similar means. But this is a rediculous argument because the same can be said of anything that costs money and enhances us. Which is pretty much ALL technology. Should we be debating the ethics of university education because only the wealthy can afford the top schools? Maybe we should ban high education to give everyone an even chance at success. What about gym membership and personal trainers. Many people cannot afford them either. Even cars provide easier access to success so perhaps they should be made illegal to?
To be honest, I have yet to hear an ethical argument against any technological advancement that convinces me that any form of research or development should ever be banned.
So with that, Dr. Miah, I’d like to sign up to help spread the Pro-Doping meme!
I’ll e-mail this to you just in case you aren’t notified of this comment.