Feb 27 2010
Testing Minor Leaguers for HGH May Not Serve Its Purpose
The MLB announced a few days ago that they will be implementing a test for HGH or human growth hormone in the minor league this summer. This is in response to the latest HGH case in British rugby where a player was tested positive for the drug. Rugby player Terry Newton was banned from the English Rugby for two years because of a positive test for HGH by the United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency. Some people in the sports industry is optimistic that this will be the start of a more reliable and effective testing for the drug since the current test is still being questioned for its effectiveness in detecting the drug.
The Major League Baseball and other major league organization do not test for HGH. The performance enhancing drug HGH is effectively traced in blood samples than urine samples. The league uses urine to test players for steroids and other performance enhancers. For the past few decades, baseball players were more known for steroids use. Although there were players who were accused of using HGH, none of them were caught by the league under the anti-doping policy.
The plan of MLB to test players in the minor league just caused some people to raise their eyebrows. Although it could be a good start to determine the extent of HGH use in the minors but others are still expecting that the major league should set as an example. Testing for HGH should start from them. A spokesperson from the commissioner’s office told the media that they will be talking about the possibility of the inclusion of HGH test in the next collective bargaining agreement. The National Football League (NFL) also showed enthusiasm in adopting HGh test in their league.
However, union representatives of both leagues were not that enthusiastic about the proposal. Major league Union official said that they have to consult first their experts on the said issue. According to NFLPA spokesman George Atallah, testing for HGh is not yet a necessity in the football league. “There is no reason to forcefully implement any blood testing at this time. There is no reason to believe a blood test for NFL players will or should be implemented,” said Atallah. They also prefer to have the test use urine samples rather than blood samples.
The accuracy of the test for HGh was defended by Travis Tygart, the head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. “All of us who have helped develop the test wouldn’t put it in place if it wasn’t forensically sound and reliable. Particularly in Newton’s case; it’s proof positive the test works,” Tygart said. It will now depend on both leagues whether they are sincere in catching players using human growth hormones or it is just one of tactics to show the fans that they are doing something to clean the sport.
Professor Chuck Yesalis, one of the worlds leading anti-doping scientist, opined that HGH testing in the league may not become effective because of many factors. “Collectively, there’s way more money involved to help circumvent the tests than the amount of money available to catch the cheaters. Look at all these multi-gazillion-dollar athletes and these sports federations, all with a strong, vested interest in being bigger, faster, stronger, and compare it to the paltry couple of million to develop new tests,” he said in an interview. “Does this [Newton positive] really change things? If I had to bet my house, all I could do is use the past to predict the future. I have heard for 30 years stuff like, ‘We had a problem with drugs in this sport, but now it’s solved.’ Thirty years. If it’s a roulette wheel and you’re asking me to put my bet on the drug cheaters or the drug testers, I know what to do,” Yesalis added.
The MLB has banned human growth hormone since 2005. However, they have not implemented a test for the substance. Even if the league made some improvement on the anti-doping policies, they still did not include HGH. Last year, they have instituted random drug testing and adopted a tiered suspension system. Players who will be caught using steroids or any other banned substance will be suspended 10 days without pay. A 30-day ban and 60-day ban will be imposed on succeeding offenses.
