Some Problems of Legal Support of Genomic Research in Sports and Application of Their Results

Genomic research on athletes can potentially contribute to the improvement of public policy in the field of sports in the area countering the use of gene doping, as well as the development of the system of sports training. The study has investigated in detail the validity and necessity of genomic research in sports. Thus, the study argues that, despite the impossibility of determining an accurate degree of influence of genetic parameters on the performance of athletes, the presence of certain gene variations determines the value of some characteristics, e.g. speed, endurance, muscle strength, and control over emotions. The development of scientific knowledge about such parameters in the field of sports and physical culture will increase the safety and effectiveness of the training process. However, this will also increase the threat of application of gene doping. However, at the moment in the doctrine no consolidated approach to the methodology of detection of the use of gene doping has been developed. This article presents various approaches to its identification, as well as the potential problems of legal support in the field of genomic research related to the complexity of the public interests concerned. The paper focuses on the study of domestic and foreign approaches to the formation of state policy aimed at ensuring confidentiality of genomic research data. Features related to the storage and use of data are considered on the example of legal regulation of both the full confidentiality of such information and the circumstances suggesting the possibility of allowing others to access such information together with identifying data. As a result, the authors have elaborated potential recommendations to regulate issues of collection, use and storage of genomic data of athletes, as well as features of their regulatory support.

sport, sports law, human rights, doping, gene doping, sport of higher achievements, genome, DNA, information, regulation, confidentiality

1. Kalinichenko PA, Ponomareva DV. etiko-pravovye aspekty regulirovaniya genomnykh issledovaniy v mezhdunarodnoy i rossiyskoy praktike [Ethic-Legal Aspects of Regulation of Genomic Research in International and Russian Practice]. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2019;64(5):69—70. (In Russ.)

2. Shevchenko OA, Redkina AI, Vorontsov DI. Osobennosti pravovogo obespecheniya provedeniya genomnykh issledovaniy v sporte: zarubezhnyy opyt [Peculiarities of legal support of genomic research in sports: foreign experience]. Teoriya i practika fizicheskoy kultury [Theory and Practice of Physical Culture]. 2020;4(982):77-80. (In Russ.)

3. Ahmetov II, Fedotovskaya ON. Current Progress in Sports Genomics. Advances in Clinical Chemistry. 2015;70:247—314. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26231489 (cited 25 May 2020).

4. Baoutina A, Alexander IE, Rasko JEJ, Emslie KR. Developing Strategies for detection of gene doping. The Journal of Gene Medicine. 2007;10(1):3—20. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jgm.1114 (cited 25 May 2020).

5. Brzeziańska E, Domańska D, Jegier A. Gene doping in sport — perspectives and risks. Biol Sport. 2014;31(4):251— 259. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4203840/ (cited 25 May 2020).

6. Clayton EW, Evans BJ, Hazel JW, Rothstein MA. The law of generic privacy: applications, implications, and limitations. Journal of Law and the Biosciences. 2019;6(1):1—36. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6813935/ (cited 25 May 2020).

7. Guth LM, Roth SM. Genetic inflation on athletics performance. Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 2013;25(6):653— 658. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3993978/ (cited 25 May 2020).

8. Leońska-Duniec A. Genetic research in modern sport. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine. 2013;3(3):19—26.

9. Mugandani SC. Athletic performance enhancing ACE, ACTN3, AMPD1 generic markers, fitness characteristics, c-reactive protein and uric acid of cricket, netball, rugby and soccer players: a review. Journal of Applied Sports Sciences. 2019;1:131—149. Available from: http://oaji.net/articles/2019/6163-1564057425.pdf (cited 25 May 2020).

10. Pokrywka A, Kaliszewski P, Majorczyk E, Zembroń-Łacny A. Genes in sport and doping. Biology of Sport. 2013;30(3):155—161. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944571/ (cited 25 May 2020).

11. Unal M, Ozer Unal D. Gene Doping in Sports. Sports Medicine. 2004;34(6):357—362. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15157120 (cited 25 May 2020).

12. Van der Gronde T, de Hon O, Haisma HJ, Pieters T. Gene doping: an overview and current implications for athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013;47:670—678. Available from: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/11/670 (cited 25 May 2020).