Performance Enhancing Substances

[Master Debater]

Anabolic Steroids.. Testosterone. What's the big deal? It's not a mind-altering drug. Shouldn't mature, responsible adults be allowed to add testosterone to their body? Shouldn't that be their choice? Being that steroids can (and are) used without any negative side-effects, what's the big deal?

Supposably it's all about "the children". Save the children! Well, I don't see any children smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol.. Why? Because you must be 21 to do either.. Why can't the same be done with performance enhancing substances?

What's your stance on performance enhancing substances?

[gary88]

I know a lot of people (mostly adults in their 30s) who regularly use steroids. They're completely harmless if you have the necessary education as to how to use them properly, how much to use, how to administer them, etc...

[nolanbuc]

Well, used in sports they are cheating. However, I long ago proposed a "juiced" league for sports who wanted to allow steroids. Let them use all they want, just keep it separate from the real sports.

As for the legality, as with any drug, they must be used properly (i.e. - under a physician's care) to be used safely. If you need an anabolic steroid (or any other steroid for that matter), there are legal means to get them and use them safely for legitimate medical issues.

[Master Debater]

Being genetically gifted isn't cheating - but it gives you advantages over the average, non-gifted person. So one who is not genetically gifted and uses steroids to level the playing field doesn't seem all that much like a cheater.

In any event, I believe most people in sports are using one type of performance enhancing substance or another. It's not only athletes, however.. Lots of actors and musicians are using steroids these days as well.

In any event, the powers that be would like you to believe steroids are illegal because they're helping people to "cheat". The whole "they're bad for you" thing didn't work for long because everyone realized they're not actually bad for you (or any worse than drinking alcohol and/or smoking - steroids DO actually have health benefits.)

They WANT you to think they're banned because they're unfair. However, they're simply banned because their use is robbing the pharmaceutical industry on a daily basis. Over the past several years, scientists have proven many health benefits of testosterone - benefits that can put to rest the use of MANY prescription medications.

But the government banned them because they're "unfair". What a crock. Imagine they really cared that much?

[nolanbuc]

dateline= Wrote:Being genetically gifted isn't cheating - but it gives you advantages over the average, non-gifted person. So one who is not genetically gifted and uses steroids to level the playing field doesn't seem all that much like a cheater.

In any event, I believe most people in sports are using one type of performance enhancing substance or another. It's not only athletes, however.. Lots of actors and musicians are using steroids these days as well.

In any event, the powers that be would like you to believe steroids are illegal because they're helping people to \"cheat\". The whole \"they're bad for you\" thing didn't work for long because everyone realized they're not actually bad for you (or any worse than drinking alcohol and/or smoking - steroids DO actually have health benefits.)

They WANT you to think they're banned because they're unfair. However, they're simply banned because their use is robbing the pharmaceutical industry on a daily basis. Over the past several years, scientists have proven many health benefits of testosterone - benefits that can put to rest the use of MANY prescription medications.

But the government banned them because they're \"unfair\". What a crock. Imagine they really cared that much?

Steriods are illegal without a prescription because they can be dangerous when used improperly. Cheating is an entirely different issue.

Steroids are considered cheating in sports because they allow one to do things one would normally not be able to do. If I can take a pill and do as well as the pros, why would I pay to watch them do things I can do too?

But again, if people want steroids in sports, then they need to be officially part of the game. Stop all this sneaking around and just set a bowl of pills out in the locker room like in the 70's.

[Master Debater]

Dude! We could not just take steroids and do as well as the pros.. Steroids make you strong by allowing the body to recover faster from heavy lifting. It doesn't do anything for skill level. So while we may be stronger because of the steroids - that's as far as it goes.

Alcohol and tobacco is dangerous even when used correctly - with no prescription. What about Tylenol (amongst many other over the counter medications)? No prescriptions needed for any of these things.. So why synthetic testosterone? Because it "cures"... And we can't have that now can we!

[nolanbuc]

dateline= Wrote:Dude! We could not just take steroids and do as well as the pros.. Steroids make you strong by allowing the body to recover faster from heavy lifting. It doesn't do anything for skill level. So while we may be stronger because of the steroids - that's as far as it goes.

Bro, it's hyperbole...I used an exageration to illustrate my point. I don't actually think a few shots would turn me into A- Rod. It won't make you more able to hit a baseball, for instance, but it may make you able to hit it farther, turning what would have been a fly - out into a home run. My point is, I watch pro sports to see exceptional natural ability, not pharmecutical enhancement.

dateline= Wrote:Alcohol and tobacco is dangerous even when used correctly - with no prescription. What about Tylenol (amongst many other over the counter medications)? No prescriptions needed for any of these things.. So why synthetic testosterone? Because it \"cures\"... And we can't have that now can we!

If you want testosterone (with my thinning hair and additional hairiness everywhere else I never will need any extra testosterone) then get a prescription. There are thousands of beneficial drugs that require a prescription, why should steroids be any different?

[Master Debater]

The issue with prescriptions is how difficult they are to get. It's not like medicine where you should only get a prescription if you're ill. Testosterone is a preventative medicine - but 99% of doctors out there don't realize it. It's only just now becoming available as an option for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (alone with Hormone Replacement Therapy). Still, it's extremely difficult to find a doctor that'll prescribe it to you.

You can easily get Viagra, Cialis or Levitra from any doctor. Try testosterone... It's just not right..

[majormajorcorgilove]

(06-13-2008 05:29 AM)Master Debater Wrote:  Being genetically gifted isn't cheating - but it gives you advantages over the average, non-gifted person. So one who is not genetically gifted and uses steroids to level the playing field doesn't seem all that much like a cheater.

By using that argument it should follow that cheating doesn't exist. Whether it's on tests, in sports, in elections, being "genetically gifted" applies to all forms of skills and competitions, it should be alright to "level the playing field anyway you can".

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