Scientists back new HGH test for Olympics
October 7 (AZERTAC). A new test that can detect the use of human growth hormone for up to 21 days has been endorsed by international anti-doping officials.
The test means officials are a step closer to a potential breakthrough against doping at next year`s London Olympics.
US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief executive Travis Tygart said on Monday that the "biomarker" test for HGH won strong consensus among doping scientists and experts who attended a London symposium on detecting growth factors.
The test, which still needs final validation by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), widely extends the detection window from the current "isoform" test, which can only identify HGH use going back 12 to 72 hours.
The new test, which also uses blood samples, can go back "anywhere from 10 days to 21 days" and could be a significant deterrent against one of the most potent performance-enhancers in sports, Tygart said.
"This is an important step," he said.
"We`re hopeful it`s going to be approved by WADA soon."
In addition to its possible use at the Olympics or in international sports, the test would also be valid for the NFL, whose players` union has yet to agree to introduction of any HGH testing.
The biomarker test was the main focus of a closed-door conference over the weekend that was jointly organised by USADA and UK Anti-Doping.
"The consensus ... is that this test is a well-validated, scientifically reliable test which extends the window of detection and would also be important to implement," Tygart told AP following a separate anti-doping and ethics symposium on Monday in London.
He said the biomarker test had been supported by more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles.
The isoform test, first used in 2004, is designed to detect the presence of synthetic HGH in the body.
By contrast, the biomarker test scans for chemicals produced by the body after HGH use, detecting "the effects of using human growth hormone."
WADA has to go through its own scientific validation process before the new test can go into effect.
Olivier Niggli, legal director of WADA, said the agency would assess the new test fully before giving it the go-ahead.
"Scientists are always very optimistic," he told the AP. "We`ll see where exactly where we are. We`ll see whether every aspect is covered. Before anything comes into place, we want to make sure we have the answers to the questions we`ll get when we go try (the test) for the first time.
"It`s very promising. There`s still a bit of work to be done but we`re getting there."
Niggli was coy about whether the new test would be in place at London`s 2012 Games, which start in July.
"If it would be, I wouldn`t tell you," he said. "We want to keep the element of surprise."
While HGH testing has taken place at the Olympics since 2004, no positive tests for the hormone have ever been recorded at the games. Outside of the Olympics, there have been eight positive tests for HGH in seven sports detected at seven different labs.
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