His well-researched article confirmed my belief that WADA’s current Human Growth Hormones or HGH test is far from reliable and that WADA’s people are not after HGH-free boxing, but after money.
Floyd Mayweather Jr’s demand for an Olympic-style random testing was exactly what these white knights had been waiting for. It gave them the chance to infiltrate boxing, riding on Mayweather’s popularity and his malicious notion that if someone does not want to get tested (translation: if someone does not want WADA’s business), he must be doping.
The truth of the matter is that the potential market in the sport is just too good for them to ignore.
Mr. English’s article presented three strong facts behind WADA HGH testing.
1. That “the best experts in the field REPORT that THERE IS NO GOOD TEST FOR HGH”.
This is a solid fact that WADA cannot deny and should not lie about. On its website, WADA states that:
“The current (HGH) test is reliable.
"Another test, in its final development stage, will be combined with the current test to further enhance the detection window for HGH abuse.
"The concepts and development of both HGH tests have been systematically reviewed by international independent experts in such fields as HGH, endocrinology, immunoassay, analytical chemistry, etc. In addition, these tests are the outcome of nearly US$6 million in research over the course of more than 10 years.
"Research was initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the European Union, and then taken over by WADA when it was created and had adopted scientific research as one of its priority activities.”
These statements are half true and deceitful. While the 2nd to 4th paragraphs probably hold certain truth, the first simply does not. WADA HGH test is and has been proven unreliable by statistics since its first application in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
American testing engineer Dr. Don H. Catlin, director of the non-profit Anti-Doping Research laboratory and, according to Mr. English, the ‘head of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab and for many years one of the most knowledgeable experts in the area - possibly the most knowledgeable’ mentioned that WADA HGH test is, not only impractical, but “simply not a useful test, no matter how you cut it or spin it.” Catlin also said that “he hasn't seen "any scientific discussion" on (WADA’s) blood scan's disputed reliability, only "warfare" rhetoric exchanged through media, pitting anti-doping officials against administrators of sports and unions”.
I see Dr. Catlin’s point. The single positive result on British rugby player Terry Newton announced on February 22 should not be taken as a proof of WADA test’s validity and reliability. We have to take into consideration the fact that 1,500 tests has been conducted but only one came back positive despite the strong supposition that HGH use by Olympic and professional athletes is rampant.
2. That WADA HGH test’s scientific validity is hard to prove in court.
Mr. English wrote:
“Dr. Peter Sonksen, a pioneer in the field of HGH testing, says “there’s very little new [data verifying the WADA test], and I think it would be quite easy for a lawyer to draw “cart and horses through it in Court.” This charge is echoed by epidemiologist Dr. Charles E. Yesalis of Penn State, who contends that the scientific data to back the testing protocols is insufficient to the point of being “almost criminal.”
Dr. Sonksen said this clearly and simple - “I think there’s a certain fear amongst the, ah, [WADA] politicians that if it comes to a case in court, they won’t win it.”
The weakness of WADA test's scientific validity is attributed to the fact that it has not displayed the “specifics” of its testing method.
3. That WADA test is slow.
Mr. English cited an example of one Olympic athlete who gave a urine sample but was notified of a failed test three weeks after. We can just imagine the mess it would bring if say Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley blood samples were taken a day before their fight and then a positive result was found after the match was long over.
Again, I am neither an advocate nor an ally of dopers and cheaters. I believe that it is important to have a drug-free boxing. However, it is equally important to make sure that drug testing is trustworthy and useful so that no boxer’s career is compromised and not a single penny is put to waste.
- Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com
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