another dot wrote:
Identical twins have identical nuclear DNA, not identical physiology. Over their lifetimes, the brothers are exposed to different environmental conditions, which leads to differential gene expression, which subsequently influences development and ageing. At the DNA level, Mo and his brother share the same DNA sequence. At the cellular, tissue, and system levels, there are differences. So, you would be able to detect if Mo was using genetic engineering to increase performance. For example, imagine if scientists altered the DNA sequence of Mo's growth hormone gene to increase it's expression. You could sequence the DNA of Mo and his brother and detect the alteration in the gene.
Great point. Fans need to understand that Genetics is not all about the genome we are born with, but largely about how our genes are EXPRESSED. Environment, lifestyle, training--these all contribute to the possibility of attaining the best and fullest genetic expression possible.
If two people with different genetics are doing all they can to foster the finest gene expression they can, we might see one succeed clearly over the other if that one possesses some unique attributes in their genome.
But, for the most part, I think there is a lot more freedom and possibility in the realm of life and athletic success than people acknowledge.
I think for most people--even elite athletes--there is untapped upside as far as genetic expression is concerned.
It's very exciting and contrary to the fatalism which may be feared and accepted too prevalently.
I will agree that there are athletes who, like David Epstein wrote in his recent book on Sports genetics, are "hyper-responders." It's also very hard to make judgments when there might be the notion that genetics determines, to some extent, "desire" and "personality,"
--but I think there is still a lot out there that can be facilitated by lifestyle and character.
Even those who don't respond as strongly to training may be helped by improved nutrition, based on science. Nutrition is one of the foremost, if not the foremost, factor that determines genetic expression. Good nutrition leads to a better digestive system, which leads to better nutrient absorption (from the said good nutrition). All of this leads to greater efficiency and effectiveness of the organs and systems of our bodies, which leads to even better nutrient absorption and utilization. This, in turn leads to better recovery. Better recovery and better health in theory will improve response to hard training regimes. Furthermore, changing chemical exposure, environment and activity of body cells will lead to changes over successive, new generations of those body cells--the process in which changing (for the better) genetic expression occurs.
I'll say that, obviously, I am not an elite athlete, but this doesn't reduce the merit nor soundness of these arguments, which are based on science, physiology and logic.
Just because Mo Farah can "get away" with drinking soda or Chris Solinsky can "get away" with drinking chocolate milk does not discredit the scientifically sound hypothesis that their training and performance would be even further improved by even further improvements in nutrition.
In another thread (oddly enough, the most recent post-nuptial shut-off thread, in response to some naysayer who thought my support of plant-based diets over over-consumption of animal proteins was "idiotic" and "annoying" and even "lunacy"),
I've provided TWELVE unique (different groups (i.e. names) of Scientists authoring) studies which corroborate the notion that improved nutrition--along basically similar parameters--leads to better health (along many parameters). I can provide more.