Ethical Issues with Performance Enhancing Drugs in Professional Sports

Abstract Enhancement of human capacity has become possible following technological advancement in the field of health. Currently, scientists have the capacity to manipulate physical and physiological mechanism of the body to perform unusually. In sports, performance-enhancing drugs benefit sport professionals by improving the strength of the muscles, increasing degree of endurance, and efficiency in sporting. Despite these benefits, the uses of performance-enhancing drugs have serious ethical issues regarding health and sports.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Ethical Issues with Performance Enhancing Drugs in Professional Sports specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The use of performance-enhancing drugs threatens physical and physiological health of sport professionals and distorts the sporting spirit. The spirit of sports emphasizes on the biological potential, fairness, and justice to the competitors; neverthe less, the use of performance enhancing-drugs undermines the same. The escalating cases of doping among sport professionals, casts great doubt on the preservation of health and ethical values in sports Introduction With the advancing technology in health, scientists are now able to manipulate physiological mechanism of the body through various ways of human enhancement. Scientists have found out that human enhancement is possible in areas such as physical enhancement, life extension, cognitive enhancement and, personality enhancement amidst other emerging enhancements. Physical enhancement is one of the ways of human enhancement that has found extensive application in professional sports. The use of performance enhancing drugs in professional sports has elicited a lot of debate and controversy concerning ethical, social, and legal implications in the society. The alarming increase in the use of performance-enhancing drugs pushed the former United States president, George Bush to voic e his concerns on the same. He said, â€Å"the use of performance enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and others sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character† (Schieffelin, 2007, p. 966). The escalating cases due to performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports have unforeseen negative effects to the society, hence ethical issues and concerns. Health Issues Although performance-enhancing drugs have health benefits of increasing muscle strength, endurance, and efficiency in sports, the use of performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids has serious health repercussions. The Controlled Substance Act of the United States classifies anabolic steroids as illegal class of drugs that are very harmful to the health. Scientific evidence demonstrates that, â€Å"steroids threaten the physical and physiological health of anyone who uses them for non-me dical purposes †¦ and pose even greater danger to adolescent individuals causing reproductive disorders, fluid retention, depression, and long-term physiological damage† (Schieffelin, 2008, p. 968).Advertising Looking for term paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In spite of the physical health benefits associated with performance enhancing drugs, the negative side effects of continued use of the drugs outweigh its benefits, thus generates ethical issues. Due to health concerns, it is not ethical to encourage the use of performance-enhancing drugs in or outside the sports. Proponents who encourage the use of performance enhancing drugs cry foul that their critics have exaggerated the health risks posed by the drugs. The proponents argue that the harmful effects of these drugs â€Å"†¦have been overstated, that health risks are an athlete’s decision to make, that using drugs is part of the evolution of sports †¦ and that efforts to keep athletes from using drugs are overzealous, unproductive, unfairly administered, and bound to fail† (Wyler, 2008, p. 3). From their argument, the proponents of performance-enhancing drugs imply that they are not concerned about the health of the sport professionals; all they need is to enhance performance in sports. To argue that it is an individual’s decision to decide whether to use performance-enhancing drugs or not, contravenes the very core ethical values of the society. It is ethical to protect and advocate for preservation of the health conditions of sport professionals rather than leaving them at the mercy of their winning desires. The exponential trend on the use of performance enhancing-drugs among youths is quite shocking. The statistical estimates released by The National Institute on Drug Abuse reveal that, â€Å"more than a half million eighth- and tenth-grade students are using steroids, and Uni versity of Michigan study showed that between 2000 and 2004, the Nation’s eighth-, tenth-, and twelfth-grade students experienced peak rates in annual anabolic steroid use† (Schieffelin, 2008, p. 970). This trend is setting a bad precedent to the young children who are aspiring to attain unrealistic achievements of their elders who are using performance-enhancing drugs. The most important thing in the current society is to preserve and maintain ethical issues that will stand the test of time for the sake of physical and social health. Hence, if the use of performance-enhancing drugs is encouraged or goes unchecked in the light of the current trends, the physical and social health of the sport professionals would be irreparably damaged due to the bad culture of enhancing human performance. The Spirit of Sports According to World Anti-Doping Agency, its mandate is to ensure that sport professionals adhere to the sporting ethics that provide a level ground for healthy and fair competition in order to protect the sporting spirit. Bostrom and Roache argue that, â€Å"athletes who use performance enhancing drugs are cheaters who gain an unfair advantage, violate the spirit of competition, send the wrong message to children, and unfairly diminish the historic achievements of clean athletes (2007, p. 8). It is unfair to rank sport professionals who use performance-enhancing drugs equally with those who do not use the same drugs.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Ethical Issues with Performance Enhancing Drugs in Professional Sports specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Sport professionals who use performance-enhancing drugs have obvious advantage over the rest who do not use them thus negating the vital spirit of competition. For the spirit of competition to thrive well in sports, a level ground is prerequisite for just and fair competition, which is ethical; otherwise, unfair competit ion attributed to the use of performance-enhancing perverts sports. Although it is plausible to level the ground of competition by encouraging all sport professionals to use performance-enhancing drugs, the spirit of sports measures sporting potential based on biological potential and not enhanced potential. The spirit of sports is about preserving sporting ethics and values of ancient times, by testing biological strengths, and skills of the sport professionals. Bostrom and Roache assert that, â€Å"if biological potential is what the spirit of sport is about, then performance-enhancing drugs certainly go against it, since athletes can achieve things with the aid of drugs that they would be unable to achieve based on their natural potential alone† (2007, p. 9). Therefore, the test of biological potential provides a level ground for competition, unlike the use of performance-enhancing drugs, which complicates the parameters of competition, since varied dose concentration, wou ld give concomitant enhanced performance. Therefore, in performance enhancement, unequal dose of a given drug would result into unfair competition among competitors. Since professional sports ultimately aim at making economical achievements, then the means of attaining economic gains matters. Despite the efforts of World Anti-Doping Agency to protect the spirit of competition, many sport professionals still use performance-enhancing drugs in order to edge their competitors and unfairly claim the prize. It is unethical for sport professionals to use unfair means to deny their competitors a chance of winning prizes they really deserve. According to ethical theories of sports, â€Å"no person or group must be favored over another †¦ not just whether to commit a strategic foul in terms of good consequences for one team, but the opposition and the good of the game† (Culbertson, McNamee, Ryall, 2008, p. 6). Consequently, allowing or conspiring to win sport prizes by using per formance-enhancing drugs is fraud and unethical for it robs of other competitors excellent opportunities of winning fairly. Permitting the use of performance enhancing drugs in professional sports would distort the true spirit of sports. The main objective of the sport professionals is to win; no matter whether there is an improved performance or not.Advertising Looking for term paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Bostrom and Roache argue that, if people desire to see sport professionals perform superbly, â€Å"we can make humans using whatever means become available, then, we should actively promote performance-enhancing drugs, and expect to see competitors striving to become the first to discover the latest enhancements in order to beat their rivals† (2007, p. 10). The use of performance-enhancing drugs would shift the focus of the sport professionals from winning the game into discovering the most effective performance-enhancing drug in the market. Eventually, sporting spirit of fairness and biological potential fades away and unfair spirit of competition in terms of money and effective drugs ensues. Conclusion The alarming trend in the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports is raising great deal of ethical, social, and legal concerns. Research studies claim that performance-enhancing drugs impair physiological and physical health of the sport professionals who in dulge in their use. Adverse effects associated with performance-enhancing drugs pose critical issues of health. Moreover, doping is unethical in sports, and thus the World Anti-Doping Agency is putting up measures to ensure thorough screening of all sport professionals. The aim of the World Anti-Doping Agency is to provide a level ground to all competitors, which will enhance the spirit of competition. Predictably, the continued use of performance enhancement drugs will lead into distortion of the sports’ spirit, as competitors will shift their focus from winning the game, into discovering a new performance-enhancing drug in the market. Ultimately, the loss of ethical issues regarding sports leads to the distortion of sports obliterating the sporting spirit; a core element within sporting circles. References Bostrom, N., Roache, R. (2007). Ethical Issues in Human Enhancement. New Waves  In Applied Ethics Journal, 12, 1-27. Print. Culbertson, L., McNamee, M., Ryall, E. (20 08). Resource Guide to the Philosophy of Sport and Ethics of Sport. Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Network,  1-43. Web. Schieffelin, N. (2007). Maintaining Educational and Athletic Integrity: How Will Schools Combat Performance Enhancing Drug Use? Suffolk University Law Review, 40(4): 959-979. Web. Wyler, L. (2008). International Convention against Doping in Sport: Issues for Congress. Congressional Research Service, 1-6. This term paper on Ethical Issues with Performance Enhancing Drugs in Professional Sports was written and submitted by user Sean Puckett to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Computer Crime, hacking, phreaking and software piracy

Computer Crime, hacking, phreaking and software piracy It's the weekend, you have nothing to do so you decide to play aroundon your computer. You turn it on and then start up, you start callingpeople with your modem, connecting to another world, with people just likeyou at a button press away. This is all fine but what happens when youstart getting into other peoples computer files. Then it becomes a crime,but what is a computer crime really, obviously it involves the use of acomputer but what are these crimes. Well they are: Hacking, Phreaking, Software Piracy.To begin I will start with Hacking, what is hacking. Hacking isbasically using your computer to 'Hack' your way into another. They useprograms called scanners which randomly dials numbers any generating tonesor carriers are recorded. These numbers are looked at by hackers and thenused again, when the hacker calls up the number and gets on he's presentedwith a logon prompt, this is where the hacking really begins, the hackertries to bypass this anyway he knows how to and tries to g ain access to theEnglish: Ankit Fadia Computer Hackersystem. Why do they do it, well lets go to a book and see 'Avid youngcomputer hackers in their preteens and teens are frequently involved incomputer crimes that take the form of trespassing, invasion of privacy, orvandalism. Quite often they are mearly out for a fun and games evening, andthey get entangled in the illegal use of their machines without realizingthe full import of what they are doing', I have a hard time believing thatso lets see what a 'hacker' has to say about what he does 'Just as theywere enthraled with their pursuit of information, so are we. The thrill ofthe hack is not...

4 books on writing comedy screen plays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

4 books on writing comedy screen plays - Essay Example This author explains the core components of comedy, as the author himself loves to read the funny aspects of books and to watch various funny movies. John Vorhaus emphasizes that the screen play writers should be creative and free from all the fears and troubles so that one should be able to develop appropriate comedian writing skills, which will help them to produce comedy, work. He has also provided various tools and comedy writing techniques in this book. (Vorhous, 1994) The screenplay that makes a person laugh is the successful piece of comedy. These screenplays have certain aspects which are important. Such secrets of screenplays which involve the excellent comedy work are given by the author Stuart Voytilla in his book of Writing the Comedy Film. He further describes as to how to create a good comedy and how to be successful in writing or producing various comedy plays. This book provides tips for writing comedy screen plays and teaches how to be creative through the way of comedian world. It consists of all the detailed facts and figures of comedy that helps its learners to understand the concept of screenplay writings in a better manner (Voytilla, 2002). Billy Mernit in his book describes the simple ways indicating how to write the romantic-comedy screen plays as he observed that it was the need of the upcoming generation. He has mentioned â€Å"seven basic romantic comedy beats† and five ways through which a person can learn to write the romantic comedy screen plays. This book is helpful for those who are interested in producing romantic comedy plays; it consists of the basic concepts of creating romantic comedy. The author also provides the history of romantic comedy in his book which gives a better understanding to the readers. This book provides it readers the right path when there is no way out of creating

Gender and visual culture Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Gender and visual culture - Assignment Example Additionally from the study, girls showed a preference for brighter colors as opposed to boys (77-85). This proves that gender is linked to the color. Purple has certainly seen some significant gender-specific changes in the past few years. The color purple is considered to be feminine because it is too dependent on personal experiences to be universally translated to specific feelings. It is imperative to note that one’s surroundings and especially cultural perceptions (gender appropriate behaviors) play a part in dictating the color appropriateness for gender which in return will influence a person’s decision (Ross, 2010). For instance, the girl child has always played with the brightly color toys it is learned that the girl child is to brightly colored colors while as a boy child is to dull ones. Purple was a common color in the middle ages. It did appear in the fashion and religious art. As written by Ross (2010) the purple color was associated with the girl child f rom year’s back (p. 392). In conclusion, the reason as to why girls prefer the color purple and use them in their drawings is because of the behavioral culture instilled in them. In addition, it is noted that most girls like or rather prefer the soft color as it is appealing to their

The essay talks of a woman Essay Example for Free

The essay talks of a woman Essay The first essay talks of a woman who loved and treasured her husband even in death. It talks of a widow who was married in Ephesus. The essay highlights her as being very beautiful. It was a culture to mourn your husband by beating the naked breast in front of the crowd and pulling off one’s hair. But this widow went on to follow the dead into his tomb where he mourned for five days. (Heinemann, 1913, p. 229-235). It is ironical that whoever could console her to stop mourning her late husband was a soldier who was guarding the bodies of some robberies that had been crucified after her friends and relatives were unable to do it. It’s also ironical that a dead body was stolen as the soldier was consoling a widow who was also mourning over a dead body. Its also ironical the dead body that made the woman mourns for five days without food or water is the one that was used to replace the lost dead body of the robber. ( Heinemann ,1913, p. 229-235) The second story talks of a man who loved his wife so much that he sacrificed all what he had and sold it to entertain his wife. It is ironical that he sold all the luxuries that gave him pleasure only remaining with a falcon just to please or rather buy the love of his wife and yet remain a poor man the rest of his life. Federigo loved his wife such that he even offered to slaughter his only remaining asset the falcon which he even loved more than any of his wife in order to serve it to the visitors of her wife. (Kaplan, 2006, p. 2 -3) It is too ironical that he sold everything to please his wife and remain poor and at the end his wife did not accept him. It is also ironical that that at his dying moment, the boy asked for the falcon and it lacked, he died. Irony is also seen when Giovanna instead of loving his husband when he was wealthy and having a lot to offer, he loved him most when he was poor and had nothing to offer. (Kaplan ,2006, p. 2 -3,) Both stories relate to denial for love of another person. In the first essay we see the widow has much love for her late husband but opts to give his body to replace the stolen thief’s body and not see another man whom he loves die. It is just funny how loves both them but also wise of her sacrifice the dead in order to save the living. (Heinemann ,1913, p. 229-235) The second essay opted to be poor by selling everything to show his wife love. At the end of the essay the wife appreciates his husbands love and thus reciprocates it by refusing to be re-married to wealthy merchants. This love is seen even in death where both Federigo and Giovanna share the same tomb. (Kaplan, 2003, p. 2 -3). Conclusion, According to my evaluation of the two stories, I think the second story is more effective on how it uses its narration skills and how it describes the whole event of love and fate. Though the story is tragic it end in comic way where there is joy after we note that afterwards the couple loved each other even in death unlike in the first story where the woman was torn between two loves and is why he had to give up one and take in the other. List of Reference: Heinemann W; (1913) Petronius, Satyricon, The Macmillan Company, 1913, ch. 111- 112, pp. 229-235 Kaplan H. L . (2006). Federigo Alberighi and Monna Giovanna SOCAN Available at http://www. thrinberry-frog. com Accessed on June 30, 2008.

The Minamata Disease as an Example of Government Weakness Essay

The Minamata Disease as an Example of Government Weakness The effects of Minamata disease, which originated in Minamata, Japan, first came to the attention of local fishermen. They referred to cats afflicted with the disease as â€Å"the suicide-prone group of dancing cats† due to their tendency to ‘dance’ around, and then jump into the nearby bay (Ui, 1992). From 1940 through the late 20th century, thousands of inhabitants of Minamata developed that same neurological disease that resulted from heavy industrial pollution of Minamata Bay. They did not receive adequate government protection against such a disaster because of the city’s poor economic structure and the relentless national drive to industrialize Japan. One company, Nippon Chisso Ltd. or Chisso for short, which worked extensively with chemicals in the production of energy and of industrial materials, comprised the local economy. Before it became a center for the Japanese chemical industry, Minamata generated revenue almost entirely from salt production enterprises. In 1908, the Japanese government had recently decided to take over the salt industry and the village needed new sources of income. At the same time Jun Noguchi, a recently graduated electrical engineer and founder of the Chisso Company, needed a location to build a new carbide production plant. Minamata won the bid for the factory’s location through a favorable deal to Noguchi, in which the local government offered the old salt industry’s land at very low prices. The city also provided a route for electricity to reach the factory at no charge (Ui, 1992). These offers established the policy of the government, and indeed of Minamata as a whole, to defer to the Chisso Company’s wishes to ... .... Measures to avoid a situation of that nature must focus on the enactment of effective policy by both local and national governments to regulate their industries, and focus on having an adequate number of revenue-generating industries so as not to jeopardize public interests. References Ui, J. (1992). Industrial Pollution in Japan. Tokyo: United Nation University Press Harada, M. (n.d.). Minamata disease and the Mercury Pollution of the Globe. Retrieved February 19, 2003, from http://www.einap.org/envdis/Minamata.html#name. Littlefield, A. (1996). Minamata Bay Pollution in Japan and Health Impacts. Retrieved February 19, 2003, from http://www.american.edu/TED/MINAMATA.HTM. Ziegler, J. (1995). Rays of Hope in the Land of the Rising Sun [Electronic version]. Environmental Health Perspectives, 103(5), (n.p.).

The Haunted House

MiKayla Jones Mrs. Ceballos PAP English 1 – 8 October 30, 2012 The Haunted House This was going to be my best Halloween ever. As I sat in class waiting anxiously for the bell to ring, I began wondering how much fun this is going to be. When Kaitlyn and I arrived at my house we sat around chatting waiting for it to get dark, before we started to trick or treat. As we were putting on our costumes, Kaitlyn had a difficult time putting her alien costume from outer space on because the directions were illegible.After I was put on my zombie cheerleader costume I noticed it looked a little sully. I didn’t mine because it was Halloween and things are sometimes not very comely. As we heard out the front door my mom jeered loudly and said, â€Å"be careful and stay in the neighborhood and don’t make any erratic turns†. I knew we had made a wrong turn when we went trick or treating at this old, run down dissolute house. When we knocked on the door it automatically op ened, a heavy wind came out and caused the pumpkins to sing and locked us in.All of a sudden I slipped on some fudder and something being to tantalizing me, I screamed and held on to Kaitlyn’s hand unflinching, I tried with all my might to fortify myself against the two headed monster, I screeched as loud as a mongoose. The more we fought the more the monsters proliferated. Some were mediocre, the monsters tried to tell us to subjugate but we kept on screaming and fighting until we freed ourselves for a moment.As we tried to expulsion from the back door a three legged lucretia ghost told us how to get out safely, we thanked the three legged ghost by giving him all of our trick or treat candy to compensate him for being so nice and helping us to escape. I feint that he was as friendly as Casper. Finally, we made it back to my house, I gave a short terse wave to Kailtlyn and she adjourns to her house. This would be one Halloween that I will never forget.