New South Wales racing authorities have announced the development of an Equine Biological Passport similar to that used by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to detect gene doping in athletes.
WADA introduced the Athlete Biological Passport in 2009 to “monitor selected biological variables over time that indirectly reveal the effects of doping, rather than attempting to detect the doping substance or method itself”.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said the principle was the same when it came to thoroughbreds.
“One of the key features of the passport will be monitoring the genes of racehorses to identify changes throughout their careers,” V’landys said.
“Traditionally authorities have reacted to the use of prohibited substances upon becoming aware of their use.
“Accordingly, we test for those substances in either the urine or blood sample.
“With the technology that we are investing in the passport, the industry can be proactive in identifying those who are engaging in doping practices, without necessarily knowing what the specific substance is, or the reliance on the urine and blood sample, after the race.”
Dr Adam Cawley, science manager for the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, said each horse would have a biomarker which provided a fingerprint containing information about a horse’s biological system.
“The data generated will undergo meticulous evaluation using sophisticated computer modelling to update each individual thoroughbred’s passport information while performing comparisons to previously collected data,” he said.
Gene doping is an extension of gene therapy which is used to treat several serious genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and haemophilia by injecting cells with healthy DNA.
WADA says gene doping “represents a threat to the integrity of sport and the health of athletes”.
V’landys said scientists, stewards, investigators and veterinarians would all be involved in gathering and reviewing the information.
AAP