SocraticGadfly: Genes make some steroid users test clean – especially Asians

April 30, 2008

Genes make some steroid users test clean – especially Asians

A Swedish study has shown that some men lack a gene that metabolizes testosterone into a form that dissolves in urine.

Result? The obvious one — urine tests don’t identify the mean as ’roid users.

And, of HUGE interest just in time for the Beijing Olympics plus China’s recent rise as an athletic power?

Two-thirds of Asian men don’t have the gene.

The story notes that researchers have known for some time that some men, and Asians in particular, seem to be able to use steroids without being caught. Now, they know why.

So, do we add genetic testing to urine testing? I think we have to. Then, we have to find a non-urine test to find out if gene-lackers are users.

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