Drugs in Sport
Professional sport is at the vanguard of biomedical research enhancement technologies. Even within the boundaries of strict modern sporting codes, athletes undergo enormously complex training, diet and medical interventions aimed at pushing them to the limits of human performance. But modern professional sport has also been at the heart of an ethical storm concerning the use of these technologies outside the rules. Professional athletes use untested drugs and methods to push their bodies to superhuman extremes, sometimes at serious cost to their health.
Given that modern sport, even without rule-breaking, is increasingly dominated by enhancement technologies, what should our attitude be toward risk-taking and self-modification in sport? Should we try to freeze technological progress in professional sport, maintaining naturalistic ideals about the nature of self-improvement? Or should we see sport as an emblem of human ingenuity and our capacity to improve our lot through science and self-sacrifice?
Resources
Publications
- Savulescu, J., (2015), 'Healthy Doping'. in V. Moller, I. Waddington and J. M. Hoberman, (Eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Drugs and Sport. (Abingdon: Routledge) pp 350- 362.
- Foddy, B. and Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Using Steroids Ethically'. in D.E.Newton, (Ed.) Steroids and Doping in Sport: A Reference Handbook. (Santa Barbara, California ABC-CLIO) pp 122-124.
- Mcnamee, M., Savulesu, J. and Willick, S., (2014), 'Ethical Considerations in Paralympic Sport: When Are Elective Treatments Allowable to Improve Sports Performance?', Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Journal, Vol: 6(8) August 2014 Supplement: S66–S75.
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Performance Optimization and Physiological Doping', Substance Abuse and Misuse, Vol: 49(9): 1186–1189.
- Savulescu, J., Creaney, L. and Vondy, A., (2013). "HEAD TO HEAD: Should athletes be allowed to use performance enhancing drugs?" British Medical Journal, Vol: 347(F6150) (free article but registration required to use site)
- Edmonds, D. (2011) 'Out of thin air' , Prospect Magazine, December issue
- Foddy B. (2010) 'Enhancing Skill'. In ter Muelen R., Savulescu J., Kahane G., (eds) Enhancing Human Capacities. Blackwell Press
- Foddy, B. and Savulescu, J. (2010), 'Time to Reevaluate Gender Segregation in Athletics?' British Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol: Published online August 2010 (forthcoming in print 2011)
- Savulescu, J. and Foddy, B. (2010) 'Le Tour and Failure of Zero Tolerance: Time to Relax Doping Controls'. In Ter Meulen, R. and Savulescu, J. (eds) Enhancing Human Capacities, Blackwell Press
- Foddy, B. and Savulescu, J. (2009), 'Ethik der Leistungssteigerung im Sport: Medikamenten- und Gen-Doping', in B. Schone-Seifert and D. Talbot (Eds.)Enhancement: Die Ethische Debatte,Paderborn: Mentis Verlag
- Foddy B. (2008). 'Risks and Asterisks: Neurological Enhancements in Baseball'. In Gordon D. (ed). Your Brain on Cubs: Inside the Heads of Players and Fans. New York: Dana Press
- Douglas, T. (2007), 'Enhancement in Sport, and Enhancement outside Sport', Studies in Ethics, Law and Technology, Vol: 1(1)
- Savulescu J., and Foddy, B., (2007). 'Ethics of Performance Enhancement in Sport: Drugs and Gene Doping', in Ashcroft, R E., Dawson, A., Draper, H. and McMillan, J. R. (eds). Principles of Health Care Ethics, Second Edition. London: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp. 511 – 520.
- Foddy B. (2006) 'The Ethics of Genetic Testing in Sport'. International SportsMedJournal. (3) 216-224.
- Savulescu, J. and Foddy, B. (2006), 'Good Sport, Bad Sport', in D. Smyth, H. Brown, W. Judge, C. McCallum and R. Pritchard (Eds.) Live it Up 2: VCE Physical Education Units 3 and 4, 2nd Edition,Milton: John Wiley and Sons
- Savulescu J, Foddy B. (2005) 'Good Sport, Bad Sport: Why we should legalise drugs in the Olympics'. The Best Australian Sportswriting 2004. Melbourne : Black Inc 2005.
- Savulescu J, and Foddy. B., (2005) 'Comment: genetic test available for sports performance'. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Aug; 39(8):472.
- Savulescu, J. (2005), 'Risk and Sport: Genetic testing and Boxing', in C. Tambourrini (Ed.) Genetic Technology in Sport, London and New York: Routledge pp. 136 - 146
- Savulescu, J. and Foddy, B. (2005), 'Book Review of Sports Ethics: An Anthology', British Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol: 39 pp. 686 - 687
- Savulescu, J., Foddy, B. and Clayton, M. (2005), 'Waarom we Prestatieverbeterende Middelen in Sport Zouden Moeten Toestaan?' Geneeskunde en Sport, Vol: 38
- Savulescu, J., Foddy, B. and Clayton, M., (2004) 'Why we should allow performance enhancing drugs in sport' British Journal of Sports Medicine., Dec 004; 38: 666 - 670.
Media
- Savulescu, J., (2016), 'Why sport's zero-tolerance stance on performance-enhancing drugs is wrong', Newsweek (online magazine) (5 December).
- Savulescu, J., (2015), 'Rational Cheating: The ethical case for allowing doping in sports', Quartz (11 November ).
- Savulescu, J. (2015). Interview on Drugs in Sport. Newsday, BBC World Service.
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Talking Head on Doping in Sport on multimedia website', Al Jazeera Turkey
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'The Expert Weighs In: Doping In Sport Should Be Legalised', Malaysian Digest (17 December).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Interview on Drugs in Sport', BBC Radio Oxford (14 November).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Interview on Drugs in Sport', BBC World Service (14 November).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Doping and Bad Arguments', Monash University Blog (17 September).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Leading medical ethics academic says performance enhancing drugs should be allowed at safe levels', Herald Sun (17 September)
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Are we banning the wrong drugs?', NEWS.com.au (17 September).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Interview on Drugs in Sport', BBC Radio Oxford (23 October).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Interview on Drugs in Sport', Today Programme, BBC Radio 4 (23 October).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Anti-doping has failed: it’s time to allow drugs in sport', Cycling Tips (24 June).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Ethicist Wants AFL Doping Ban Dumped to Protect Players', Sydney Morning Herald (also printed in Brisbane Times and The Age) (14 June).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'A Doping Manifesto', Aeon Magazine (11 June).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), Feature on Doping in Sport based on Savulescu’s work. Includes quotes from Tyler Hamilton. Så lad dog barnet. Jyllands- Posten. (20 January).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Interview on drugs in sport', ABC, Australia (17 September).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Interview on drugs in sport', 3AW, Australia (17 September).
- Savulescu, J., (2014), 'Asafa Powell may be guilty of doping but he’s also a victim', The Conversation (14 January).
- Savulescu, J., (2013). Al- Jazeera interview on drugs in sport (18 December)
- Savulescu, J., (2013). "A Failing Regime?" The Mark News. (5 December)
- Savulescu, J., (2013). In depth interview with Julian Savulescu for HardTalk, BBC World News (25 and 26 November)
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Debate on PEDs', The Cork News (25 October).
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Sports Medicine Experts Debate: Should Doping Be Allowed?', Runners World (25 October).
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Interview on moral enhancement and drugs in sport', Radiowaves RRR Melbourne Radio (6 October).
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Interview on risks of doping in sport', New Zealand Radio Sport (7 August).
- Savulescu, J., (2013). "Ein Nasenspray Kan Die Beziehung Festigen. Zeit Wissen." Interview on Drugs in Sport (August)
- Savulescu, J., (2013). Drugs in Sport interview on “Kulturzeit”. 3sat (German, Austrian, Swiss Public Channel)(23 August)
- Savulescu, J., (2013). Time for Sports Doping Rethink: Prof. Otago Daily times (Report of Lecture) (27 September)
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Interview on doping in sport', New Zealand National Radio (26 July).
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Anti-doping puritanism is killing sport'. Spiked (online magazine (22 July)
- Savulescu, J., (2013). "Time to legalise doping or lose the spectacle of sport." The Conversation. (Reprinted in HealthCanal.com, the North West Evening News in Cumbria and the New Zealand Herald) (16 July)
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Interview on doping in sport', Radio 3AW Australia (17 July).
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Interview on doping in sport, by John Beatty', i(15 July).
- Savulescu, J., (2013). Drugs in Sport Debate (IQ2). ABC News 24, Australia (9 June)
- Savulescu, J., (2013). Drugs in Sport Debate (IQ2). ABC 1, Australia (5 June)
- Savulescu, J., (2013). Drugs in Sport Debate (IQ2). BBC World. 4 Screenings over weekend. (25 – 26 May)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio Debate on drugs in sport with head of ASADA. Triple J Radio,Australia (8 May)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Debate Piece on Drugs in Sport. Australian Womens Health Magazine(April)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio interview on drugs in sport, Radio Five Live, UK (21 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio Interview on drugs in sport, ABC Radio National Breakfast, Australia (20 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio interview on drugs in sport. The Morning Glory, Breakfast Show, 1116 SEN, Australia (19 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio Interview on drugs in sport. Drive with Rafael Epstein, 774 ABC Melbourne (14 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio interview on doping in sport. ABC Radio with Waleed Aly (13 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio Interview on doping in sport. Radio Australia Break (12 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Interview on drugs in sport in light of Australia Crime Commission Report. BBC World News TV (8 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Radio Phone in Panellist (drugs in sport). BBC Radio Scotland (21 January)
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Sports Doping is Legal and Should be Controlled. Sydney Morning Herald (19 January)
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Interview on Lance Armstrong'. The Project, Channel 10 (Australia) (28 January)
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Killing king of doping won't destroy kingdom'. The Age and reprinted in Camden Advertiser (19 January 2013)
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Legalise PEDs and we'll prosper, says ethicist'. (17 February)
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'Brenne, Armstrong, Brenne!' Interview for 'Focus' German magazine, on Lance Armstrong's doping scandal (19 November)
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'Doping in Sport'. Voice of Russia, Global Russian Radio Service (19 October)
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'We moeten een betere mens maken'. De Standaard (Belgium- main Flemish newspaper). Interview on Drugs in Sport (28 July)
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'Drugs in Sport'. BBC Radio Oxford Drivetime interview (11 October)
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'Permit Doping So We Can Monitor It'. Opinion piece for New York Times 'Room for Debate' section (7 August)
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'Expelled Badminton Players Lose in Challenge to Olympic Spirit'. San Francisco Chronicle (2 August)
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'We Need an Open Market for Doping'. Spiegel Online. Interview on Doping in Sports, (17 July) English | German
- Savulescu, J., (2012), 'Permit Doping So We Can Monitor It'. Opinion piece for New York Times 'Room for Debate' section (7 August)
- Savulescu, J. (2011), 'Oxford- professor vil lagalisere doping', interviewed for article in Dagbladet, one of the two largest national newspapers in Norway (17 March )
- Savulescu, J., (2011). Start the Week panel member on Ethics and Sport, BBC Radio 4 (12 December)
- Savulescu, J., (2011), 'We moeten een betere mens maken'. De Standaard (Belgium- main Flemish newspaper) Interview on Drugs in Sport (28 July)
- Savulescu, J. (2010), Interviewed on ‘Newshour’, high-profile BBC World Service radio programme, concerning drugs in sport, with a focus on cycling (7 July)
- Savulescu, J. (2010), Performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in sport: raise the bar or draw the line? Led the University of Oxford Online Debate proposing the motion: Performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in sport: raise the bar or draw the line?’ Published Opening Statement (14 June), Update 1 (17 June), Update 2 (24 June) and Closing Statement (1 July). The debate proved very popular and the public posted comments throughout the debate which closed with a public vote (5-9 July). (14 June-1 July) www.ox.ac.uk/debates
- Savulescu, J. (2010), Banning Performance-Enhancing Drugs Neither Ensures Fair Play Nor Protects Athletes’ Health. The Vancouver Sun. Reports on J. Savulescu’s research on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport. (16 February)
- Savulescu, J. (2009), Julian Savulescu on 'Fitter, Faster, Future'. True Tube (educational videos online) videocast on drugs in sport (26 June)
- Savulescu, J. and Syed, M. (2008), Let Them Take Drugs: The Safe Ones. London (19 July 2008)
- Savulescu, J. (2008), Letter responding to 'Bolt Can Become Greatest Sprinter Ever'. London (22 August 2008)
- Savulescu, J. (2008), The Right to a Level Playing Field. (15 August 2008) Audio
- Savulescu, J. (2008), Debating Drug Use in Sport. (23 January)
- Savulescu, J. (2008), Debate Coverage - Intelligence Squared Debate on Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport (Jan 08) MP3
- Savulescu, J. (2008), Debate addresses whether sports should allow performance-enhancing drugs Report on Intelligence Squared Debate on Performance Enhancing drugs Jan 15, New York (16 January 2008)
- Savulescu, J. (2007),Doping in Sport Debate. Canada (23 September 2007)
- Savulescu, J. (2007), It is Time to Allow Doping at Tour de France. (30 July, page S16)
- Savulescu, J. (2007), Doping true to the spirit of sport. (8 August)
- Savulescu, J. (2007), Legalise Drugs in Sport. Interview with Eleanor Hall (6 August)
- Savulescu, J. (2007), Drugs in Sport - Cheating or Not? Live 15 minute phone interview with Richard Aedy (6 August)
- Savulescu, J. (2007), Honestly! Why do so many of us cheat at sport? Scotland on Sunday (5 August)
- Savulescu, J. (2007), It is Time to Allow Doping at Tour de France. (30 July, page S16)
- Savulescu, J. (2006), Chemically enhanced: Should we allow doping in sport? Interview with David Owen (11 February, pp16-19)
- Unfair may be fair as genetics conflate steroids: Julian Savulescu in Bloomberg.com (last updated April 2008)
- Doping True to the Spirit of Sport, Julian Savulescu in The Syney Morning Herald, 8 August 2007. Also available at the International Network of Humanistic Doping Research
- Legalise Drugs in Sport Ethicist Says, Julian Savulescu interview with Eleanor Hall, The World Today, 6 August 2007
- It is time to Allow Doping at Tour de France, Julian Savulescu in The Telegraph, 30 July 2007
- Chemically Enhanced, David Owen in the Financial Times, February 11 2006
- Good Sport, Bad Sport, Julian Savulescu and Bennett Foddy writing in The Age, August 3, 2004 PDF
Multimedia
- Sparrow, R. and Savulescu, J., (2016), 'Should doping in sports be unrestricted? A video head-to-head.' Interviewed by Regan Penaluna for 'Nautilus'. (25 August)
- Savulescu, J., (2014), Talking Head on Doping in Sport on multimedia website, Al Jazeera Turkey.
- Savulescu, J. (2013), Many performance enhancing drugs are legal. Interviewed by Stephen Sackur for BBCs HARDtalk (25 November )
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'IQ2 Debate: Is it OK for Athletes to Use Performance Enhancing Drugs?' This IQ2 takes the debate on performance enhancing drugs in sport further than anything published thus far in the media. It features Shane Gould, Peter FitzSimons, Julian Savulescu and Robin Willcourt. Audio and Video files available here.
- Savulescu, J., (2013), 'Julian Savulescu discusses 'Drugs in Sport''. 2GB, The Alan Jones Breakfast Show (Australian Radio) Audio
- Savulescu, J., (2012), “Sport: giving the red card to drugs?”. Voice of Russia, Global Russian Radio Service (19 October) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqXIRNm2WIA&feature=plcp
- 'Relaxing the Ban on Doping'. Savulescu delivered keynote speech at ‘Human enhancement - biotechnology in sports’ Conference organized by The Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board in collaboration with Anti-Doping Norway. The primary focus of the conference was the use of gene doping, and the use of genetic screening for traits that are beneficial for sports athletes and it was for held for the benefit of athletes, scientists, trainers and the general public. Oslo, Norway (16 March 2011)
- Julian Savulescu appears in Intelligence Squared debate on Drugs in Sport, New York, January 2008 http://media.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/uehiro/drugsinsportjan08radio.mp3
- In this 5 minute clip Julian Savulescu explains his views on drugs in sport. Video
